THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


THE 


BOOK 


O  F 


CAGE    BIRDS, 


BY  HENRY  B.  HIRST. 


THIRD  EDITION. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
BERNARD  DUKE,  117  CHESTNUT  STREET. 

1843. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1842,  by 
BERNARD  DUKE,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the 
Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


E.  G.  Dorsey,  Printer, 
Library  Street. 


IN  TOKEN 


RESPECT  FOR  HIS  VARIED  TALENTS, 
HIS  SCIENTIFIC  KNOWLEDGE, 

AMD 

HIS   CHARACTER  AS   A  MAN, 
THIS  BOOK  IS  INSCRIBED 

TO 

JOHN    CASSIN, 
BY  HIS  FRIEND 

THE  AUTHOR. 


M3G8449 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


THE  following  work  the  publisher  pre- 
sents to  the  public  with  feelings  of  consi- 
derable gratification.  That  the  want  of  a 
good  publication  of  this  description  has 
long  been  severely  felt,  he  is  well  aware 
from  the  many  enquiries  at  his  esta- 
blishment. Upon  discovering  this,  he 
immediately  took  measures  to  ensure  the 
production  of  a  complete  and  practical 
treatise  on  the  various  birds  which  are  to 
be  found,  singly  and  collectively,  in  an 
American  Aviary.  The  book  is  written 
by  a  gentleman  well  known  as  one  of 
the  best  practical  Ornithologists  of  the 
day.  This  fact  must  give  to  the  direc- 
tions on  its  pages  the  fullest  credit  and 
reliance.  The  portion  devoted  to  the 
1 


6 

Canary-bird  (Fringilla  serinus)  is  the  most 
perfect  description  of  its  character  and 
habits  ever  published;  while  the  remainder 
displays  the  most  correct  judgment  and 
scientific  knowledge.  The  expense  of 
getting  it  up  has  been  very  heavy;  but  it 
is  intended  as  an  earnest  that  every  thing 
which  is  produced  at  the  publisher's  esta- 
blishment shall  be  of  a  sterling  character. 
In  the  close  of  the  volume  will  be  found 
a  catalogue  of  the  various  articles  adapted 
to  the  rearing  and  keeping  of  Canary 
and  other  Song-birds,  all  of  which  are  of 
selected  quality,  or  of  the  finest  materials. 
The  greatest  pains  will  always  be  taken 
to  preserve  a  full  and  complete  assortment 
of  every  thing  in  this  and  every  other  line 
of  the  business,  in  order  that  the  publisher 
may  merit  that  confidence  which  has 
already  been  so  liberally  bestowed  upon 
him. 

BERNARD  DUKE. 
Philadelphia,  1842. 


CONTEiNTS. 


BOOK  I. 

GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. — Order  GRANI  YORES. 
CHAPTER  I.— General  Characteristics  of  Granivorous 
Birds PAGE  13 

DIVISION  I. 

FOREIGN  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

FINCHES. — Fringilla. 
CHAP.  I.— General  Characteristics  of  the  Finch  Tribe.       16 

CHAP.  II. — CANARY-BIRD. — Fringilla  serinus. 

SECTION  I.— Of  the  Peculiar  Characteristics  of  the  Ca- 
nary Finch 19 

SECT.  II. — Of  the  most  suitable  season  for  pairing  Cana- 
ries, and  the  best  situations  for  breeding  them.       .        .    26 

SECT.  III. — Of  the  mode  of  pairing,  and  the  proper  means 
to  procure  handsome  coloured  Birds 30 

SECT.  IV. — On  the  materials  for  building  and  the  best 
nests  to  be  procured. 33 

SECT.  V. — Of  the  most  proper  food  for,  and  directions  for 
feeding  Canaries  in  the  breeding  season.        .        .        .36 

SECT.  VI. — Directions  for  making  the  German  Paste,  and 
for  rearing  the  young  by  hand 45 

SECT.  VII.— On  the  distinguishing  characteristics  of  the 
sexes  in  Canaries 57 


8  CONTENTS. 

SECT.  VIII. — On  the  teaching  Canaries  an  artificial  sys- 
tem of  song 61 

SECT.  IX. — On  the  necessary  treatment  for  sullen  and 
savage  male-birds 65 

SECT.  X. — General  remarks  upon  breeding  birds.      .        .    77 

SECT.  XL— On  the  most  prevalent  diseases  which  attack 
Canaries,  and  the  modes  of  prevention  and  cure.  .  .  85 

SECT.  XII. — On  the  various  methods  of  the  breeding 
"mule-birds,"  and  their  general  management.  .  .  98 

CHAP.  III. — DOMINICAN  GROSBEAK. — Fringilla  cardina- 
lis 108 

CHAP.  IV.— "\VHIDAH-BIRD.— Fringilla  whida.          .        .110 
CHAP.  V.— JAVA  SPARROW.— Fringilla .    .         .         .113 

CHAP.  VI.— WHITE-HEADED  GROSBEAK.— Fringilla  leuco- 
ceyhala 115 

CHAP.  VII. — AVERDIVINE. — Fringilla  aver -divina.  .        .  116 

CHAP.  VIII. — ENGLISH  GREY  OR  BROWN  LINNET. — Frin- 
gilla linaria 117 

CHAP.  IX. — ENGLISH  GREEN-FINCH,  OR  GREEN  LINNET. — 
Fringilla  Moris 119 

CHAP.  X. — ENGLISH  GOLD-FINCH. — Fringilla  carduelis.  .  121 

PART  II. 

LARKS. — Alauda. 
CHAP.  I. — ENGLISH  SKY-LARK. — Alauda  arvensis.     .        .  123 

CHAP.  II. — ENGLISH  WOOD-LARK. — Alauda  arborea.         .  126 

PART  III. 

BULL-FINCHES. — Pyrrhula. 
CHAP.  I. — BULL-FINCH. — Pyrrhula  vulgaris.  .        .        .128 


CONTENTS.  9 

DIVISION  II. 

NATIVE  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

TANAGERS. —  Tanagree. 

CHAP.  I.— SCARLET  TANAGER,  OR  BLACK-WINGED  SUMMER 
RED-BIRD. —  Tanagra  rubra 132 

PART  II. 

FINCHES. — Fringilla. 
CHAP.  I.— INDIGO-BIRD,    OR    BLUE    LINNET.— Fringilla 

cyanea 135 

CHAP.  II.— PAINTED  BUNTING,  OR  NONPAREIL.— Fringilla 

ciris .139 

CHAP.  III.— SONG  SPARROW. — Fringilla  fasciata.    .        .  141 
CHAP.  IV.— YELLOW-BIRD,  OR  AMERICAN  GOLD-FINCH. — 

Fringilla  tristis 145 

PART  III. 

CARDINAL-BIRDS. — Cardinally 

CHAP.  I. — CARDINAL   GROSBEAK,  OR    RED-BIRD. — Cardi- 
nalis  Virginianus 149 

PART  IV. 

GROSBEAKS. — Coccothraitstes. 

CHAP.  I. — ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK.— Coccothraustef  Lu- 
dovicianus 155 

PART  V. 

PURPLE  FINCHES. — Erythrospizcc. 

CHAP.  I. — PURPLE  FINCH,  OR  AMERICAN  LINNET. — Ery- 
throspiza  purpurea.  . 158 

BOOK  II. 

OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. —  Omnivores. 

CHAP.  I. — Of  the  general  characteristics  of  Omnivorous 
Birds 160 

1* 


IQ  CONTENTS. 

DIVISION  I. 

FOREIGN  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

STARLINGS. — Sturni. 
CHAP.  I.— EUROPEAN  STARLING.— Sturnus  vulgaris.         .  163 

PART  II. 

ORIOLES. — Icterii. 

CHAP.  L— ICTERIC  ORIOLE,  OR  TROUPIAL.    GOLDEN-WING- 
ED ORIOLE.— Icterus 166 

PART  III. 

CROWS. — Corvi. 
CHAP.  I.— EUROPEAN  JACK-DAW.— Corvus  monedula.        .  168 

PART  IV. 

JAYS. — Garruli. 
CHAP.  I. — EUROPEAN  JAY. — Garrulus  glandarius.    .        .173 

DIVISION   II. 

NATIVE  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

AMERICAN  STARLINGS. — SturnellcE. 

CHAP.  I.— AMERICAN    STARLING,     OR     MEADOW-LARK.— 
Sturnella  Ludoviciana 177 

PART  II. 

TROUPULS. — Icterii. 

CHAP.  I.— -BALTIMORE  ORIOLE,  OR  GOLDEN  ROBIN.— Ic- 
terus Baltimorus 180 

CHAP.  II. — ORCHARD  ORIOLE,  OR  HANGING-BIRD. — Icterus 
spurius 184 

CHAP.  III. — RED-WINGED   BLACKBIRD. — Icterus  pradato-  • 
rius.  .  186 


CONTENTS.  11 

PART  III. 

RICE  BIRDS.— Dolicfionices. 

CHAP.  I.— REED-BIRD,   OR   RICE   BUNTING.— Dolichonyx 
oryzivora.         .  191 

PART  IV. 

CROWS. — Corvi. 
CHAP.  I.— AMERICAN  CROW.— Corvus  Americanus.  .        .  197 

PART  V. 

MA  GPIES. — Pica. 

CHAP.  L— MAGPIE.— Pica  melanokuca 199 

PART  VI. 

JAYS.— Garruli. 

CHAP.  I.— BLUE  JAY.— Garrulus  cristatus.       .        .        .202 

BOOK  III. 

INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. — Insectivores. 
CHAP.  I. — On  the  general  characteristics  of  Insectivo- 
rous Birds x  .        .        .205 

DIVISION  I. 

FOREIGN  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

THRUSHES. —  Turdi. 
CHAP.  I. — EUROPEAN  BLACKBIRD. —  Turdus  merula.         .  208 

CHAP.  II. — EUROPEAN,  OR   ENGLISH    THRUSH. —  Tiirdus 
musicus 210 

CHAP.  III.— MINOR-BIRD.—  Turdus  minor.       .        .        .213 

PART  II. 

WARBLERS. — Sylvia. 
CHAP.  L— ROBIN,  OR  RED-BREAST.— Sylvia,  rubicola.        .  215 

PART  III. 

NIGHTINGALES. — Currucce. 
CHAP.  I. — ENGLISH  NIGHTINGALE. — Curruca  lusciana.     .  218 


12  CONTENTS. 

DIVISION  II. 

NATIVE  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

MOCKING-THRUSHES. — Mimi. 
CHAP.  I. — MOCKING-BIRD. — Mimus  polyglollis.         .        .  229 

CHAP.  II. — BROWN,  OR  FERRUGINOUS  THRUSH,  OR  THRASH- 
ER.— Mimus  ferrugineus. 247 

CHAP.  III.— CAT-BIRD.— Mimus feliv ox.  .        .        .        .249 

PART  II. 

TRUE  THRUSHES. —  Turdi. 
CHAP.  I.— AMERICAN  ROBIN.—  Turdus  migratorius.        .  252 

PART  III. 

BLUE-BIRDS.— Sialice. 
CHAP.  I.— BLUE-BIRD.— SmZm  Wilsonii.          .        .        .  255 

Mode  of  carrying  Birds  to  a  distance 260 

APPENDIX. 
CHAP.  I.— PARROT  TRIBE.-- Psittaci 2G2 

CHAP.  II.— DOVES.— Columbce 269 

CHAP.  III.— PARTRIDGE.— Ortyx  Virginiana.  .        .        .273 
CONCLUSION.  .        .        .  277 


PREFACE. 


No  apology  for  the  production  of  a 
work  of  this  kind  is  necessary,  and  I  give 
none,  except  it  be  the  book  itself.  Those 
in  whose  bosoms  the  seeds  of  refinement, 
sown  by  Education  or  Nature,  have  sprang 
into  stately  and  pleasant  trees,  will  hail 
the  work  as  having  supplied  a  void  too 
long  existing.  Those  who  despise,  or 
affect  to  despise,  the  little  warblers  on 
whose  habits  and  treatment  it  discourses, 
will  have  a  prejudice  not  to  be  easily 
overcome;  and  one,  moreover,  which,  de- 
spising them  as  I  do,  I  care  not  to  ob- 
literate. 

Shakspeare  decries  "the  man  who  hath 
no  music  in  his  soul;"  and  any  other 
vigorous  writer  might  make  a  very  fine, 
as  well  as  just  invective  against  him  who 
loves  not  the  music  of  birds.  So  far  as 
my  own  observation  has  been  extended,  it 
has  satisfied  me  that  he  who  listens  not 


14  PREFACE. 

with  delight  to  the  melody  of  the  feathered 
race,  has  either  been  rendered  a  misan- 
thrope by  the  villany  of  others,  or  is  at 
heart,  himself,  a  villain.  The  best  proof 
of  this  is  the  delighted  expression  visible 
upon  the  faces  of  children,  as  they  linger 
near  the  cages  of  their  favourites  and 
drink  in  every  note  of  their  varied  song. 
And  what  man  lives,  who,  as  he  passes  by 
the  cottage  of  the  humble  labourer,  and 
observes  the  wicker  habitation  of  the  well 
tended  Canary  suspended  at  the  door, 
does  not  form  a  favourable  idea  of  the 
taste  of  those  who  dwell  within  its  walls. 
And  oh !  in  the  crowded  cities,  with  the 
hum  of  business  and  the  rattle  of  wheels 
sounding  ever  around,  is  it  not  pleasant  to 
the  ear  of  the  sick-man  to  hear  the  voice 
of  some  lone  bird,  and  fancy  as  the  cool 
breeze  from  the  open  window  steals  across 
his  feverish  brow,  that  he  is  out  again 
among  the  green  fields  and  pleasant  val- 
leys, where  the  tall  trees  shake  their  heads 
in  defiance  of  the  winds,  and  the  diamond- 
gleaming  streams  run  onward  with  one 
continual  murmur  of  joy.  The  dim  light 
that  streams  into  his  room  seems  free  and 
glorious,  he  imagines  his  humble  apart- 
ment by  the  wild  greenwood,  and  the 


PREFACE.  15 

melancholy  warbler  is  converted  into  the 
many  voiced  choir  of  the  forest. 

This  life  is  made  up  of  crosses  and 
vexations;  and  he  who  can  add  one  mite 
to  the  pleasures  of  existence  is  a  bene- 
factor to  the  whole  human  race.  It  was 
with  the  laudable  ambition  of  being  thus 
considered,  that  induced  me  to  prepare 
the  following  little  work  for  publication. 
If  it  answer  the  end  for  which  it  is  de- 
signed, I  shall  feel  myself  amply  repaid 
for  any  trouble  I  may  have  undergone  in 
its  compilation. 

Independent  of  the  pleasure  arising  from 
the  rearing  of  birds,  the  profit  to  the  poor 
man,  and  the  ability  which  it  gives  him  to 
purchase  many  little  luxuries,  otherwise 
far  beyond  his  reach,  is  worthy  of  consi- 
deration. I  know  one  family,  a  very 
worthy  and  honest  one  by  the  by,  who, 
from  a  little  expenditure  of  labour  on  the 
part  of  the  females,  and  which  only  filled 
up  otherwise  unoccupied  time,  have  been 
enabled  to  procure  a  small  but  very  com- 
plete library  for  their  amusement  and 
instruction  during  the  long  winter  even- 
ings. 

Grave  and  learned  physicians  may  pro- 
bably smile,  when  they  learn  that  a  chap- 
ter of  the  work  has  been  devoted  to  the 


16  PREFACE. 

treatment  of  the  diseases  incidental  to 
birds;  but  the  fancier  who  has  hitherto 
seen  his  stock  die  off  one  by  one,  without 
being  able  to  alleviate  their  sufferings  or 
prevent  their  destruction,  will  be  grateful 
for  the  information  conveyed.  It  is  true, 
we  give  no  descriptions  of  post  mortem 
anatomical  examinations,  nor  have  we 
records  of  the  cases  which  we  have  ob- 
served, being  content  that  our  readers 
should  take  our  ipse  dixit  for  the  facts  we 
state;  but  we  have  aimed  to  give  informa- 
tion fraught  with  common  sense  and  to 
the  purpose. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


BOOK  I. 

GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. — Order  GRANIVORES. 

CHAPTER  I. 

General  Characteristics  of  Granivorous  Birds. 

IT  will  be  proper  to  premise  with  a  few 
general  remarks  on  the  habits  and  charac- 
teristics of  this,  the  most  numerous,  as  well 
as  one  of  the  most  beautiful  orders  of  the 
feathered  tribe;  particularly  as  the  descrip- 
tions of  the  different  species  will  occupy 
by  far  the  greater  portion  of  the  ensuing 
pages. 

The  granivorous  birds  live  in  pairs 
during  the  nuptial  season,  and  after  that 
period  is  terminated,  assemble  in  flocks, 
or  groups,  ready  for  the  time  of  their  au- 
tumnal migration.  Many  species  are  very 
hardy;  others  again  so  tender  as  to  leave 
the  states  on  the  approach  of  frost;  while 
others  only  migrate  from  the  intense  cold 
2 


14  GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 

of  the  polar  regions,  and  remain  with  us 
during  the  whole  of  the  winter.  Those  of 
the  tender  kind  reside  in  this  state  a  short 
period;  reaching  us  early  in  May,  spending 
with  us  only  the  season  of  song  and  incu- 
bation, and  then  departing  early  in  the 
Autumn  for  the  more  congenial  tempera- 
ture of  Mexico  and  the  West  India  isles. 
The  food  of  this  order  consists  princi- 
pally of  seeds  and  small  grain,  that  are 
always  shelled  before  swallowing;  but  in 
the  time  of  incubation,  entirely  of  insects 
— a  fare  the  easiest  to  be  procured  at  that 
period,  since  but  few  of  the  earlier  and 
rarer  species  of  plants  have  then  perfected 
their  seed-vessels.  It  is,  besides,  more 
suitable  for  the  sustenance  and  nourish- 
ment of  their  tender  and  delicate  young. 
These  would  be  unable  at  that  immature 
season  to  receive  and  retain  nourishment 
so  harsh  and  difficult  of  digestion,  though 
at  a  later  portion  of  their  lives  such  food 
is  better  suited  to  sustain  existence.  How- 
ever, seeds  of  all  kinds  at  all  times  will 


GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS.  15 

answer  for  any  of  the  tribe,  when  adult, 
in  a  state  of  captivity.  In  the  cage  they 
are  readily  kept  to  a  great  age,  amply  re- 
paying by  their  melodious  songs  the  at- 
tention that  they  require.  They  are  like- 
wise highly  susceptible  of  education;  and 
can  readily  be  taught  numbers  of  amusing 
and  extremely  interesting  tricks. 

The  moult  of  this  order  of  birds  occurs 
in  general  twice  a  year;  their  plumage 
always  being  the  most  beautiful  in  the 
nuptial  season,  though  it  again  changes  in 
the  fall  to  the  unostentatious  livery  of  the 
females.  During  the  moulting  season  they 
are  always  most  delicate. 

It  will  be  readily  seen  that  in  breeding 
birds  in  captivity,  the  nighest  approach  to 
a  state  of  nature  will  be  the  most  benefi- 
cial for  their  nurture,  and  the  production 
of  strong  and  vigorous  young;  but  of  this 
more  hereafter  in  its  proper  place. 


DIVISION  I. 

FOREIGN  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 
FINCHES. — Fringillse. 

CHAPTER  I. 

General  Characteristics  of  the  Finch  Tribe. 

OF  all  the  tribes  of  birds,  none,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Gallinaceous  and  the 
Pigeon  order,  associate  more  familiarly 
and  freely  with  man  in  a  state  of  nature, 
and  none  that  evince  such  docility  and 
such  rationality  in  a  state  of  confinement, 
as  those  we  now  notice.  The  Finches 
generally,  are  either  remarkable  for  their 
neatness  or  beauty  of  plumage,  and  de- 
lightful and  varied  powers  of  song.  Their 
variation  of  feather  as  regards  the  sexes 


FINCH  TRIBE.  17 

is  very  slight,  in  many  instances  the  male 
and  female  being  the  same  in  appearance, 
or  only  differing  in  the  breeding  season; 
while  the  young  of  most  species  imme- 
diately resemble  the  adult,  or  acquire  the 
perfect  plumage  in  the  second  year. 

Of  all  the  varieties  of  birds  they  are  the 
most  prolific,  rearing  several  broods  a 
year;  and  in  fact  increase  so  rapidly,  that 
even  accident,  Hawks,  or  the  shot-gun  of 
the  juvenile  sportsmen  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  large  cities  and  towns  can 
create  no  perceptible  diminution.  In  the 
country,  in  the  vicinity  of  farm-houses, 
they  are  always  protected  from  pursuit 
by  their  social  and  semi-domestic  habits; 
while  the  farmer's  cottage  is  very  often 
ornamented  with  cages,  containing  the 
species  most  celebrated  for  song.  Their 
habits  are  solitary  in  the  time  of  incuba- 
tion; but  after  that  period  they  associate 
together  and  migrate  in  bands  of  considera- 
ble numbers.  They  are  generally  very 
hardy,  and  many  species,  like  the  Snow- 


18  FINCH  TRIBE. 

bird  (F.  hyemalis),  capable  of  enduring  the 
utmost  severity  of  cold. 

Their  song  is  loud  and  vigorous,  and  in 
many  instances  of  a  very  superior  charac- 
ter; consisting  of  the  most  beautiful  pas- 
sages, and  frequently  rising  in  such  de- 
lightful trills  as  to  excite  the  intensest 
admiration  in  the  listener.  They  are  also 
very  capable  of  receiving  tuition,  and  will 
readily  perform  various  feats  worthy  of  the 
greatest  applause.  In  a  state  of  confine- 
ment they  are  pleasant  companions,  and 
may  be  kept  to  a  great  age,  frequently 
twenty  years,  without  difficulty;  owing  to 
'their  peculiar  food  and  their  great  habits 
of  cleanliness. 


19 

CHAPTER  II. 

CANARY-BIRD. — Fringilla  serinus. 

SECTION  I. — Of  the  Peculiar  Characteristics 
of  the  Canary  Finch. 

THE  Canary,  generally  pronounced  deli- 
cate, and  often  made  so  by  improper 
treatment  and  want  of  attention,  is  in 
reality  the  hardiest  of  cage-birds.  In  the 
houses  of  our  citizens  it  is  always  kept  in 
the  warmest  rooms,  where  the  artificial 
atmosphere  gradually  produces  enervation 
of  form  and  ultimate  destruction  of  life. 
This  results  from  the  high  esteem  in  which 
this  favourite  is  held,  and  with  considera- 
ble force  recalls  to  my  mind  the  old  adage 
of  "killing  with  kindness."  A  different 
treatment  would  be  adopted,  did  the  lady 
or  gentleman  fancier  know  how  much 
stronger  such  a  course  would  make  their 
favourite,  in  body  and  song. 

The  system  I  should  recommend  would 


20  CANARY-BIRD. 

be  to  suspend  their  cages  in  a  constantly 
unheated  room,  where  the  temperature 
would  approximate  to  that  of  the  outer 
atmosphere,  exposing  them  to  the  sun  and 
air.  This  of  course  should  only  be  done 
on  moderate  days;  not  when  the  air  is  but 
a  few  degrees  above  zero.  Rainy  seasons 
should  likewise  be  avoided,  though  cloudy 
skies  are  not  always  to  be  deprecated  as 
injurious. 

The  Canary-bird  is  esteemed  by  all 
ages,  ranks  and  conditions;  and  it  seems 
scarcely  necessary  for  me  to  point  out  its 
excellent  qualities.  Yet,  I  will  venture 
upon  the  task.  I  may  leave  the  sweetness 
of  its  song  unnoticed,  that  being  well 
known  and  appreciated  by  my  readers. 
The  time  of  singing  continues  throughout 
the  whole  year,  with  the  exception  of  the 
moulting  seasons,  which  occur  in  spring 
and  autumn,  and  even  then,  in  strong  and 
healthy  birds,  their  melody  is  given  with- 
out intermission.  Their  plumage,  another 
characteristic,  is  varied  and  beautiful;  con- 


CANARY-BIRD.  91 

sisting  of  nearly  a  dozen  distinct  colours, 
all  of  which  are  of  the  richest  and  most 
gorgeous  description,  and  upon  which  is 
founded  the  various  and  singular  names  in 
vogue  among  the  different  bird-fanciers. 
Their  great  and  almost  wonderful  aptitude 
of  acquiring  knowledge  is  likewise  display- 
ed by  the  ease  with  which  they  perform 
numerous  and  astonishing  tricks;  their 
ability  to  articulate  words  clearly  and 
correctly  is  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  that 
of  the  Parrot  (Psittacus),  and  their  docility 
and  attachment  toward  those  who  have 
them  in  charge  is  of  the  highest  order, 
and  worthy  the  greatest  admiration. 

Among  the  most  striking  exhibitions  of 
their  wonderful  qualities,  the  most  curious 
was  one  given  in  London,  by  a  French- 
man, named  Le  Sieur  Roman,  who  publicly 
exhibited  eight  well  educated,  and  I  think 
I  may  say  without  flattery,  very  talented 
Canaries.  One  of  these  pretended  death, 
and  was  passed  around  to  the  company, 
by  his  ingenious  owner,  without  displaying 


22  CANARY-BIRD. 

the  slightest  sign  of  life.  A  second  was 
an  expert  and  excellent  balancer,  perform- 
ing evolutions  while  standing  upon  his 
head  with  his  claws  elevated.  A  third 
imitated  the  peculiar  action  of  a  milk- 
maid, going  and  returning  from  market, 
bearing  a  small  milk-pail  upon  his  shoulder. 
A  fourth  mimicked  a  Venetian  demoiselle, 
looking  from  the  window  and  nodding  to 
the  bystanders,  in  a  manner  exceedingly 
piquante  and  amusing.  A  fifth  appeared 
as  a  soldier,  with  a  minute  musket,  and 
mounted  guard,  in  the  character  of  a  sen- 
tinel. The  sixth  was  likewise  a  soldier, 
and  sustained  the  character  of  a  can- 
nonier,  wearing  a  military  cap  on  his  head, 
bearing  a  fire-lock  on  his  shoulder,  arid 
concluding  his  portion  of  the  performance 
by  taking  a  match  and  discharging  a  little 
cannon.  The  same  bird,  at  another  time, 
fell  as  if  wounded  by  a  shot  from  the  ene- 
my; suffered  itself  to  be  placed  in  a  little 
wheel-barrow  by  its  companions  and  taken 
to  the  hospital;  and  from  thence  took  wing 


CANARY-BIRD.  23 

and  flew  away  before  the  spectators.  A 
seventh  gracefully  turned  a  small  wind- 
mill; and  the  eighth  bird  stood  amidst  a 
display  of  various  kinds  of  fireworks  with- 
out betraying  the  slightest  signs  of  fear. 

A  second  exhibition  of  this  kind,  more 
curious  from  the  greater  number  of  the 
performers,  took  place  in  London  during 
the  year  1820.  The  ingenious  artist  and 
owner  was  a  Monsieur  Dijon.  The  ex- 
hibited troupe  consisted  of  twenty-four  Ca- 
naries, who  all  performed  numerous  feats. 
One  of  these  represented  a  company  of 
soldiers.  They  had  a  small  camp,  tents 
and  other  martial  equipage;  stood  and  re- 
lieved guard;  marched  and  counter-march- 
ed; and  went  through  various  evolutions. 
At  last  one  of  the  company  deserted,  was 
pursued  by  a  guard,  brought  back,  and 
seemingly  sentenced  to  be  shot.  The 
courageous  little  bird  submitted,  hero-like, 
to  his  fate,  received  the  real  fire  of  his 
companions  from  their  little  mechanical 
muskets,  and  fell  apparently  dead  before 


24  CANARY-BIRD. 

the  company.  He  was  then  taken  up  by 
his  companions,  placed  on  a  small  tumbril 
and  dragged  away  to  be  buried.  This 
concluded  the  performance. 

About  two  years  since,  I,  myself,  pos- 
sessed an  imported  Canary-bird,  who  dis- 
played equal  semi-reasoning  powers.  His 
cage  was  constructed  without  the  usual 
appendages  of  seed-box  and  water-fount; 
but  had  a  small  rail-road  placed  at  each 
side,  at  the  bottom  of  one  of  which  was  a 
small  car  on  wheels  filled  with  seed,  and 
at  the  other  a  second  with  water.  When- 
ever my  little  "Mignonne"  as  he  was  call- 
ed, was  hungry,  he,  with  his  bill  and  claws 
turned  a  small  windlass  which  slowly  and 
gradually  brought  the  car  of  seed  towards 
him.  When  it  had  arrived  within  his 
reach,  he  placed  his  foot  upon  the  cord 
and  retained  it  until  satisfied;  then  letting 
go  his  hold  he  suffered  it  to  sink  to  its 
former  position.  The  same  course  of  pro- 
ceeding followed  with  the  water.  This 
bird  was  the  admiration  of  a  host  of 


CANARY-BIRD.  ^5 

friends  and  visiters,  and  probably  would 
have  continued  so  till  this  day,  but  being 
hung  from  my  window,  on  one  occasion, 
the  nail  by  which  it  was  suspended  gave 
way,  and  the  cage  was  precipitated  into 
the  street,  instantly  killing  my  talented 
and  docile  little  companion. 

There  are  many  instances  on  record  of 
the  intelligence  and  rationality  of  the  Ca- 
nary, which  are  equally  extraordinary  with 
the  above;  but  the  limits  to  which  I  am 
confined  prevent  the  possibility  of  a  more 
lengthened  notice. 

To  other  qualities  I  may  add  their  won- 
derful power  of  imitating  various  airs;  for 
they  have  here  the  correctness  and  taste 
of  an  accomplished  musician,  keeping  time 
with  the  most  scrupulous  exactness  and 
adhering  strictly  to  the  melody.  They 
are  taught  these  airs  by  means  of  a  flageo- 
let, or  a  serinette,  or  bird-organ.  The  man- 
ner of  tuition  I  shall  consider  in  a  future 
section. 


26  CANARY-BIRD. 

SECT.  II. — Of  the  most  suitable  season  for 
pairing  Canaries,  and  the  best  situations 
for  breeding  them. 

The  most  suitable  season  for  pairing 
the  Canary,  commences,  in  this  section  of 
country,  in  the  latter  end  of  February, 
and  from  then  until  the  last  of  March; 
though  they  will  succeed  tolerably  well  if 
placed  together  as  late  as  the  middle  of 
April.  The  former  time  should  however 
be  preferred;  the  first  brood  invariably 
producing  the  finest  songsters,  as  well  as 
the  strongest  and  hardiest  birds.  The 
time  may,  however,  depend  upon  the  sea- 
son's being  favourable,  or  otherwise.  If 
the  latter,  it  would  be  advisable  to  delay 
their  coupling  until  the  weather  becomes 
more  genial,  for  when  the  frosts  are  gradu- 
ally disappearing  and  the  sun  begins  to 
shed  its  warm  and  enlivening  rays,  the 
birds  may  be  placed  together,  without  any 
fears  as  to  a  fatal  result,  which  nearly 


CANARY-BIRD.  37 

always  occurs  should  they  be  paired  at 
the  time  above  mentioned. 

When  your  judgment  tells  you  that  the 
proper  season  has  arrived,  select  your 
cage,  which  should  be  of  small  size  and  in 
a  state  of  perfect  cleanliness.  At  the 
same  time  observe  carefully  that  there  are 
no  small  red-insects  in  its  crevices;  as 
these  mites,  as  they  are  called,  would  be 
productive  of  much  injury.  Of  these  I 
shall  speak  more  particularly  hereafter. 
Then  choose  the  birds,  which  you  intend 
to  pair,  and  place  them  together;  for  they 
invariably  mate  sooner  in  a  small  cage 
than  in  one  of  larger  dimensions.  When 
they  are  at  first  set  in  company,  they 
generally  disagree;  but  this  need  not  be  a 
matter  of  alarm  to  their  owner,  as  the 
more  bitter  they  are  at  the  first,  the  sooner 
they  become  reconciled,  and  the  more  per- 
fect in  their  connubial  felicity.  This  hap- 
py period  will  soon  be  discovered  by 
marks  of  affection  in  the  male  towards 


28  CANARY-BIRD. 

the  female,  as  by  feeding  and  billing  her, 
pluming  her  feathers,  &c. 

During  this  season  they  should  be  given 
the  most  enlivening  as  well  as  the  most 
nourishing  food.  I  would  strongly  recom- 
mend a  composition,  made  after  the  fol- 
lowing recipe,  as  the  best  addition  to  their 
daily  allowance.  Take  one  egg  and  two 
or  three  oysters,  each  boiled  very  hard, 
then  chop,  or  grate  them  fine,  adding  some 
wheat-bread  carefully  and  finely  crumbled, 
and  a  little  swelled  Indian  and  oat-meal  in 
equal  quantities,  and  a  small  portion  (two 
drachms)  of  maw-seed.  Mix  the  whole 
well  together.  Give  the  birds  a  table- 
spoonful  morning  and  afternoon,  keeping 
the  rest  in  a  moist  situation  for  future  use. 
In  a  week  your  birds  will  be  paired.  This 
mixture  I  have  found  very  successful  in 
many  instances,  and  the  experience  of  a 
host  of  friends  confirms  my  own. 

The  breeding  cage,  which  must  be  of 
good  size,  so  as  to  allow  the  birds  room 
for  exercise,  must  now  be  obtained.  The 


CANARY-BIRD.  29 

situation  is  next  to  be  considered;  for 
though  wherever  the  cage  may  be  placed, 
the  birds,  prompted  by  instinct,  will  com- 
mence building  their  nest,  yet  success 
depends  entirely  upon  its  favourable  posi- 
tion. Should  a  cage  be  placed  in  a  room 
which  is  unexposed  to  sun  and  air,  the 
young  birds,  if  any  are  raised  at  all,  will 
be  sickly,  weak,  and  less  in  size  in  three 
weeks  than  those  reared  in  a  more  favour- 
able situation  would  be  in  ten  days,  or 
even  a  less  time.  The  reader  will  now 
see  the  propriety,  in  order  to  secure  fine, 
healthy  and  vigorous  songsters,  of  placing 
their  cage  in  an  apartment  open  to  the 
sun-light.  The  morning  sun  is  far  more 
preferable  than  the  afternoon,  for  the  ex- 
cessive heat  of  the  latter  frequently  causes 
a  dangerous  disease  in  the  hen-Canary, 
known  to  bird-breeders  by  the  name  of  the 
"sweating  sickness,"  or  causes  the  hen  to 
become  indisposed  and  leave  her  nest, 
thereby  blighting  the  rearer's  hopes  almost 
at  the  instant  of  gratification. 


30  CANARY-BIRD. 

This  "sweating  sickness"  is  one  of  the 
most  direful  and  disastrous  that  affects  the 
Canary,  for  should  the  bird  recover,  a 
species  of  red-mite  appears  on  the  body  of 
the  hen,  as  the  sequelus  of  the  disease. 
These  parasites  destroy  the  mother  arid 
her  interesting  brood,  clinging  to  them 
with  the  greatest  tenacity,  feeding  on  their 
blood  and  remaining  until  life  is  entirely 
extinct.  Added  to  these  incidents,  they 
are  also  liable  to  lay  clear  and  unproduc- 
tive eggs.  All  of  these  things  arise  solely 
from  their  situation.  Beside,  Canaries  are 
noted  for  their  preferences  and  antipathies, 
and  their  behaviour  in  a  room,  or  in  a 
cage,  is  ample  evidence  of  their  satisfac- 
tion or  dislike  of  the  position  which  they 
occupy. 

SECT.  III. — Of  the  mode  of  pairing ',  and  the 
proper  means  to  procure  handsome  colour- 
ed Birds. 

The  Canary-bird,  a  native  originally  of 


CANARY-BIRD.  31 

the  Canary  Isles,  from  which  it  derives  its 
name,  is,  in  its  natural  state,  of  a  buff  and 
olivaceous-green  colour,  and  does  not  pos- 
sess a  title  of  the  beauty  for  which  the 
same  family  is  remarkable  in  its  present 
condition. 

When  you  undertake  to  pair  your  birds, 
wishing  to  produce  young  ones  of  a  regu- 
lar and  uniform  colour,  you  must  be  care- 
ful not  to  place  those  of  the  same  shade 
together.  Should  you  neglect  this  pre- 
caution, your  birds  will  be  less  finely 
marked,  for  while  the  colour  of  the  young 
reared  from  those  of  a  mealy  hue,  will  be 
a  dusky,  dirty  white,  that  of  birds  raised 
from  a  fine  jonque  or  deep  yellow  male, 
with  a  mealy  or  pale  female,  will  be  of  a 
deep  strawr  colour,  as  the  young  in  every 
instance  follow  more  the  tint  of  the  father 
than  of  the  mother-bird.  This  rule  like- 
wise occurs  with  all  the  other  varieties, 
and  great  care  should  always  be  taken  in 
the  disposition  of  the  old  birds;  provided 


32  CANARY-BIRD. 

you  wish  to  secure  young  of  a  peculiar 
and  beautiful  shade. 

When  you  desire  to  breed  "mottled,  or 
marked"  and  "splashed  birds,"  the  best 
couples  are  formed  by  a  regular  shaped 
green,  or  handsomely  marked  male,  and  a 
bright  yellow  or  jongue  hen.  The  young 
of  these  form  a  complete  union  between 
the  different  shades  of  the  parents,  and 
are  frequently  the  most  beautiful  of  va- 
rieties. Should  the  production  of  entirely 
green  birds  suit  your  taste,  the  parents 
should  be  entirely  green;  or  if  the  male  be 
of  a  very  dark  shade,  it  may  be  associated 
with  a  brilliant  yellow,  or  a  dark  mealy 
hen,  bred  from  a  former  admixture  of  the 
same  varieties.  This  association  pro- 
duces the  rare  and  extremely  favourite 
sort  known  under  the  appellation  of  "Cin- 
namon or  Filmuth-birds."  When  your 
wish  is  for  full  coloured  birds,  without  the 
slightest  mark,  a  large  and  finely  formed 
mealy  hen  should  be  placed  with  a  deep 
coloured  jongue  cock.  Should  you  prefer 


CANARY-BIRD.  33 

a  very  deep  yellow,  your  parent  birds 
must  be  two  close  feathered  yellow  ones, 
of  the  largest  size  and  strength,  as  if  they 
be  not,  the  young,  though  of  the  richest 
colour,  will  be  small  and  weak.  This 
association,  however,  produces  the  finest 
coloured  birds  of  all  the  varieties. 

In  breeding  "top-knot"  birds,  the  male 
only  should  have  the  crest,  for  were  it 
worn  by  both,  the  young  raised  would  be 
of  that  odious  character  known  to  dealers 
by  the  quaint  title  of  "bald-heads." 

SECT.  IV. — On  the  materials  for  building 
and  the  best  nests  to  be  procured. 

In  the  selection  of  materials  for  nests, 
the  greatest  care  should  be  observed  in 
regard  to  their  cleanliness;  for  on  that 
requisite  depends  entirely  the  health  and 
vigour  of  the  young.  Many  articles  are 
given  to  the  Canary  for  the  purpose  of 
building,  but  nothing  answers  the  purpose 
so  well  as  Cow's  or  Deer's  hair.  This 


34  CANARY-BIRD. 

should  be  well  washed,  to  free  it  from 
dust  or  insects  of  any  description,  and 
then  carefully  dried  in  the  sun.  The 
material  may  be  preserved  after  the  first 
use,  and  on  again  being  washed  and  dried, 
will  answer  equally  as  well  for  succeeding 
nests,  during  the  season. 

The  boxes,  in  which  the  birds  are  to 
build,  should  be  composed  of  basket  or 
wicker-work,  with  wire-work  bottoms. 
This  allows  any  particles  of  dust  which 
may  collect  to  fall  through;  and  it  prevents 
the  breeding  of  those  small  red-mites,  who 
prey  upon,  and  in  a  very  short  time  gene- 
rally destroy,  the  young  birds. 

In  preparing  the  breeding-cage  the  bot- 
tom should  be  covered  with  fine  red  or 
silver  sand,  the  former  is  the  most  prefera- 
ble, or  gravel,  well  dried,  and  laid  to  a 
considerable  depth  along  the  whole  floor. 
This  little  precaution  will  often  save  the 
life  of  a  most  valuable  bird,  which  the 
hen,  in  flying  from  the  nest,  might  acci- 
dentally pull  after  her,  and  which,  if  it  fell 


CANARY-BIRD.  35 

on   the   hard   board,  would  certainly   be 
killed. 

It  is  better,  in  placing  your  birds  in  the 
cage  at  first,  to  give  them  but  one  breed- 
ing-box, as  they  are  frequently  puzzled  to 
make  a  choice,  and  carry  the  materials 
for  building  from  one  to  the  other;  a 
circumstance  which  is  always  a  loss  of 
time,  and  a  disappointment  to  the  breeder. 
When  the  first  nest  is  finished,  and  the 
hen  commences  sitting,  the  other  box  may 
be  inserted;  although  I  think  it  would  be 
advisable  to  defer  it  until  after  the  young 
are  hatched,  and  indeed  recommend  the 
making  of  the  nest  by  the  raiser  himself 
for  the  second  brood,  as  it  preserves  the 
birds  from  unnecessary  fatigue,  and  suf- 
fers them  to  commence  operations  much 
sooner.  The  shape  should  approach  as 
nearly  as  possible  to  that  of  the  one  made 
by  the  Canaries  themselves;  though  that 
is  of  little  consequence,  as  if  it  be  not 
agreeable,  they  will  soon  alter  it  to  suit 
their  taste. 


36  CANARY-BIRD. 

SECT.  V. — Of  the  most  proper  food  for,  and 
directions  for  feeding  Canaries  in  the 
breeding  season. 

The  next  step  for  the  bird  fancier  to 
observe,  is  to  obtain  proper  food  for  the 
old  birds,  while  engaged  in  the  sustenance 
of  their  callow  young.  As  I  before  re- 
marked, the  nearest  approach  to  a  state 
of  nature  will  be  productive  of  the  most 
beneficial  results.  The  following  directions 
must  be  closely  observed.  Take  an  egg 
and  boil  it  very  hard,  then  grate  it  through 
a  coarse  grater,  such  a  one  as  is  used 
for  the  purpose  of  preparing  horse-radish 
(and  which  must  be  washed  very  clean 
before  using  it)  will  best  answer  the  object; 
then  take  a  small  piece  of  wheaten 
bread,  baked  the  day  before,  about  the 
same  size  as  the  egg,  and  grate  it  in  the 
same  manner;  add  to  this  a  table-spoon- 
ful of  fresh  Indian  meal  and  mix  the 
whole  very  closely  together,  making  it 


CANARY-BIRD.  37 

finer  with  the  hand;  after  which  process 
pass  it  through  the  grater  two  or  three 
times.  It  may  then  be  given  to  the  birds. 
As  bread  and  butter,  or  even  Turkey,  is 
an  excellent  food  to  the  human  species  in 
its  place,  so  is  this  to  the  Canary;  but  as 
were  we  confined  to  the  most  delicious 
articles  in  existence  as  a  daily  food,  we 
should  soon  become  cloyed  or  disgusted, 
and  desire  a  change — so  is  it  with  the 
birds.  Take  every  two  or  three  days  a 
nice  piece  of  clean,  stale,  wheaten  bread, 
without  its  crust,  which  has  been  soaked 
in  water,  squeeze  out  all  the  moisture,  and 
pour  over  the  whole  a  little  fresh  milk. 
Of  this  give  a  small  portion,  a  table-spoon- 
ful at  a  time,  to  your  feathered  charge. 
They  should  also  have  given  to  them, 
whenever  they  can  be  obtained,  fresh  cab- 
bage-leaves, which  are  the  most  use- 
ful and  nutritious  thing  they  can  eat,  at 
least  two  or  three  times  a-day;  and  beside 
this,  fresh  chick-weed  or  salad,  when  in 
season. 
4 


38  CANARY-BIRD. 

It  is  a  frequent  circumstance  with  per- 
sons commencing  the  rearing  of  Canaries, 
without  fully  understanding  the  necessary 
rules  to  be  observed  in  their  management, 
to  meet  so  many  crosses  and  such  fre- 
quent, and,  as  they  imagine,  causeless  dis- 
appointments, to  yield  their  attempts  in 
utter  hopelessness,  attributing  faults  to 
the  birds,  and  blaming  dealers  for  the 
failure  which  results  alone  from  their  own 
negligence  or  inexperience. 

The  principal  reason  for  the  loss  of 
young  birds,  are  their  either  being  fed  too 
much,  or  too  little,  or  at  irregular  times, 
and  without  paying  the  proper  attention 
whether  the  food  given  is,  or  is  not,  in 
season.  For  an  example,  chick-weed  or 
salad,  when  fully  matured,  are  excellent 
articles;  but,  if  given  too  early  in  the 
spring,  they  become  of  a  poisonous  nature, 
and  frequently  cause  the  destruction  of  a 
whole  aviary.  These  should  not  be  given 
before  the  last  of  May,  when  their  cold 


CANARY-BIRD.  39 

and  acrid  juices  are  rendered  innocuous, 
by  the  then  constant  heat  of  the  sun. 

Whenever  your  young  birds  are  fully 
able  to  feed  and  take  care  of  themselves, 
which  circumstance  may  readily  be  dis- 
covered by  the  want  of  attention  on  the 
part  of  the  parents,  or  the  refusal  of  the 
young  to  be  so  nourished  any  longer,  they 
may  be  taken  from  the  breeding-cage  and 
placed  off  in  another  receptacle.  Their  pro- 
per food,  which  should  be  regularly  given 
them,  is  a  chopped  or  grated  egg,  with 
bread  and  Indian-meal,  with  the  addition 
of  about  £  oz.  of  maw,  and  some  ground 
or  bruised  rape-seed.  When  they  arrive 
at  the  age  of  six  or  seven  weeks,  and 
their  bill  becomes  hard,  they  will  be  able 
to  crack  hard  seed,  which  may,  however, 
be  kept  in  their  cage  before  that  time 
arrives.  They  should  then  have  all  the 
varieties,  viz.  rape,  canary,  yellow  and 
hemp-seeds,  but  well  mixed  together,  given 
to  them,  taking  at  the  same  time  the 
greatest  care  that  fresh  seed  be  placed  in 


40  CANARY-BIRD. 

their  boxes  at  least  every  other  day.  The 
hemp-seed  should  always  be  bruised.  It 
is  frequently  a  practice  with  some  per- 
sons, to  feed  their  Canaries  entirely  on 
rape-seed,  under  the  foolish  delusion  of 
its  producing  length  of  life.  This  ridicu- 
lous mode  of  sustenance  invariably  causes 
them  to  become  so  thin  and  weak  that 
the  first,  and  in  many  cases  what  would 
only  be  a  slight  illness,  easily  sweeps 
them  off;  and  most  particularly  during  the 
moulting  season.  Another  evil,  which  it 
is  difficult  to  guard  against,  is,  when  you 
place  your  old  birds  in  the  cage  to  breed 
and  give  them  soft  food,  they  sometimes 
gorge  themselves  to  such  a  degree  as  to 
swell,  and  die  off  very  rapidly.  This  soft 
food  is  not  entirely  necessary  for  them, 
nor  should  it  be  given  to  them  without 
anything  else.  They  should  always  have, 
when  breeding,  their  seed-box  well  supplied 
with  canary,  hemp  and  rape,  and  now  and 
then  a  little  lettuce-seed,  which  acts  upon 
them  medicinally,  and  purges  them  from 


CANARY-BIRD.  41 

all  the  foul  humours  which  may  have 
generated  in  their  delicate  systems  during 
the  long  and  arduous  winter  season. 

The  breeding,  gentle  reader,  being  by 
far  the  most  critical  and  dangerous  por- 
tion in  the  life  of  the  Canary,  and  re- 
quiring the  most  careful  and  judicious  and 
difficult  management,  deserves  from  me 
the  most  particular  and  lucid  directions. 

The  hen  sits  about  thirteen,  but  most 
generally  fourteen  and  sometimes  even 
fifteen  days.  The  time,  however,  depends 
wholly  upon  the  season,  and  the  state  of 
the  out-door  atmosphere  at  that  interest- 
ing period;  in  clear,  fine  and  warm  wea- 
ther, the  young  are  much  sooner  produced 
than  if  the  air  be  cold,  raw  and  unpleasant. 
Two  days  before  the  young  are  hatched,  it 
becomes  highly  necessary  to  clean  the 
perches  of  the  cage  thoroughly,  fill  the 
box  with  fresh  mixed  seed  and  the  foun- 
tain or  cup  with  new  water,  in  order  that 
the  old  birds  may  not  be  approached  or 
disturbed  at  that  critical  juncture.  The 
4* 


42  CANARY-BIRD. 

soft  mixture,  before  recommended,  must 
now  be  given  to  them  regularly  three 
times  a  day,  and  also  the  mixed  bird-seed 
every  morning,  with  the  addition  of  a 
little  chick-weed,  or  cabbage  or  lettuce 
leaves.  The  former  must  be  thoroughly 
cleaned  from  any  dirt  which  may  adhere 
to  it,  and  from  the  large  rank  leaves, 
which  are  always  indigestible,  coarse,  and 
too  often  very  injurious.  In  the  months 
of  July  and  August,  the  birds  may  be 
given  ripe  plantain  or  salad  leaves,  feed- 
ing them  always  about  six  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  twelve  at  noon,  and  finally  five 
in  the  afternoon.  Should  you  make  the 
hours  of  feeding  an  hour  later  or  earlier  it 
will  make  no  material  difference,  provided 
the  same  course  on  each  and  every  suc- 
ceeding day  is  strictly  observed.  The 
great  requisite  is  regularity. 

During  the  hot  and  enervating  summer 
months,  they  require  more  particular,  and 
in  fact,  almost  constant  attention;  the  soft 
food  which  is  put  in  the  cage  in  the  morn- 


CANARY-BIRD.  43 

ing,  frequently  turning  sour  before  they  are 
fed  the  second  time.  The  remains  should, 
however,  always  be  taken  away  and  re- 
placed with  fresh  food  of  the  same  kind 
at  each  succeeding  feed.  The  chick-weed, 
lettuce  or  cabbage  also  becomes  wilted  or 
withered,  and  is  thus  rendered  unfit  for 
use.  Should  the  old  ones  be  suffered  to 
feed  their  young  on  this  decayed  and 
nauseous  substance,  the  growth  of  the 
chicks  will  be  delayed,  and  they,  instead 
of  becoming  regular,  straight,  taper  and 
strong  birds,  will  be  weak,  large  bellied, 
and  never  worth  half  the  price  or  esteem 
they  would  otherwise  obtain.  They  should 
also  have  at  this  season,  lettuce  and  wild 
plantain-seed,  when  it  can  be  obtained, 
upon  the  medicinal  qualities  of  which,  I 
have  before  commented. 

You  must  also  carefully  note  the  sort  of 
food  the  old  birds  most  prefer,  and  then 
allow  them  a  greater  portion  of  that  pecu- 
liar kind;  for  the  less  the  young  are  fed 
on  the  soft  and  green  food  the  better,  as 


44  CANARY-BIRD. 

they  advance  in  growth  the  faster,  which 
is  finer  for  their  health  and  more  suited  to 
ensure  their  future  worth.  Because  from 
this  food  solely  arises  the  surfeit  or 
swelling  I  have  just  described,  and  which 
may  readily  be  prevented  by  adhering 
to  the  above  simple  rules.  A  piece  of 
coarse  stick-liquorice  should  occasionally 
be  placed  in  their  water  founts;  this  at  the 
same  time  giving  a  pleasant  flavour  to 
the  water,  and  acting  as  an  alterative  on 
the  systems  of  the  birds. 

During  the  continuance  of  warm  wea- 
ther a  pan  of  water  should  be  placed  in 
their  cages  once  every  day,  that  the 
birds  may  bathe  and  wash;  an  amusement 
of  which  they  are  extremely  fond,  and 
which  at  the  same  time  greatly  refreshes 
them.  Fresh  water  should  also,  during 
the  hot  months,  be  put  in  their  fountains 
two  or  three  times  a  day;  as  they  drink 
oftener  at  that  season  than  at  any  other. 
In  cold  weather  once  a  day  will  suffice. 


CANARY-BIRD.  45 

SECT.  VI. — Directions  for  making  the  Ger- 
man Paste,  and  for  rearing  the  young  by 
hand. 

Should  you  desire,  either  for  the  pur- 
pose of  strengthening  your  old  birds  or  to 
gain  time  in  the  short  season  of  breeding, 
to  bring  up  your  young  birds  by  hand,  it 
will  be  first  necessary  to  observe  whether 
they  are  of  sufficient  age  to  be  removed 
from  the  parental  care;  since  they  will,  in 
case  the  attempt  be  made  at  too  early  a 
season,  pine  away  and  most  probably  die. 
The  last,  however,  seldom  happens.  But 
on  the  reverse,  they  must  not  be  left  too 
long  with  the  old  ones,  as  they  then  be- 
come perverse,  obstinate  and  sullen,  and 
also  extremely  difficult  to  feed.  The  time 
of  removal  must  be  left  entirely  to  the 
discretion  of  the  fancier,  though  I  would 
recommend  it  to  be  done  when  the  birds 
are  from  twelve  to  fifteen  days  old. 
Should  you  succeed,  as  with  common 


46  CANARY-BIRD. 

attention  you  will,  your  young  ones  will 
be  rendered  remarkably  docile  and  affec- 
tionate. 

The  birds  that  you  intend  to  rear  in  this 
manner  should  be  well  fledged  or  fea- 
thered, and  when  taken  from  the  tender 
protection  of  the  mother,  should  be  placed 
in  a  rather  dark  and  secluded  situation, 
(which  treatment  has  the  effect  of  render- 
ing the  subject  of  it  forgetful  of  the  old 
ones,)  and  kept  in  a  warm  box,  lined  with 
cotton,  or  some  substance  of  a  like  nature. 

There  are  some  exceptions  to  this  rule, 
which  occasionally  occur;  as  when  from 
the  heavy  task  of  breeding,  the  hen  is 
sometimes  taken  sick.  Then  it  behoves 
the  fancier  immediately  to  remove  the 
young,  as  she  will  be  utterly  unable  to 
attend  to  them  and  they  fall  ill  and  die. 
Consequently,  it  becomes  necessary  to 
bring  them  up  by  hand,  unless  you  may 
have  another  hen  under  whom  they  can 
be  placed.  It  also  frequently  happens  that 
a  hen  is  so  careless  of  her  young,  and 


CANARY-BIRD.  47 

feeds  them  so  seldom,  that  unless  they  be 
taken  from  her,  they  will  soon  perish  from 
neglect  and  want  of  food. 

When  this  happens,  the  young  must  be 
taken  away  immediately,  or  in  a  short 
time  they  will  become  past  recovery. 
The  hen  also  often  forsakes  the  young 
when  eight  or  ten  days  old,  or  frequently 
abuses  them  by  plucking  their  downy 
young  feathers  from  them  to  line  another 
nest;  even  when  she  has  every  thing 
which  is  proper  for  that  purpose  around 
her.  Whenever  this  fact  is  discovered, 
the  young  must  be  removed  and  reared  at 
once  by  hand,  or  they  will  soon  become 
victims  to  her  savage  conduct.  But  un- 
less there  is  some  such  occasion,  they 
should  always  be  left  with  the  parents 
until  the  time  before  mentioned. 

When  you  have  concluded  to  remove 
them,  the  following  composition,  entitled 
"German  Paste,"  must  be  made  for  and 
given  to  them,  as  hereafter  stated.  When 
carefully  made  and  the  directions  for  its 


48  CANARY-BIRD. 

keeping  observed,  it  will  continue  fit  for 
use  at  least  two  weeks. 

Recipe  for  making  "German  Paste." 

"In  a  large  mortar,  or  on  an  even  table, 
you  must  bruise,  with  a  rolling-pin,  a  pint 
or  quart  of  rape,  in  such  a  manner  that 
you  may  blow  the  chaff  away;  to  this 
bruised  seed  add  a  piece  of  bread,  re- 
ducing them  to  powder;  mix  these  to- 
gether, and  put  them  in  an  oak  box,  which 
should  be  kept  from  the  sun.  You  may 
give  them  a  tea-spoonful  of  this  powder, 
with  the  addition  of  a  little  hard  yolk  of 
egg,  and  a  few  drops  of  water;  and  thus 
you  will  have  prepared  in  a  few  minutes 
excellent  food  for  your  young  birds.  This 
powder  must  not  be  kept  longer  than 
twenty  days,  as  it  then  becomes  unfit  for 
use,  the  rape-seed  turning  sour,  so  that 
when  water  is  put  to  it,  it  smells  like  mus- 
tard." 

At  the  expiration  of  two  weeks,  should 
any  of  the  powder  above  mentioned  be 


CANARY-BIRD.  49 

left,  it  may  be  given  to  the  old  birds  dry, 
as  it  is  then  equally  nutritious,  or  more  so 
than  the  unshelled  seed,  and  cannot  in  any 
wise  do  them  injury.  I  myself  prefer 
making  a  small  quantity  of  this  paste, 
every  day,  since  I  find  the  young  grow 
more  rapidly  under  such  treatment.  During 
the  first  three  or  four  days  after  they  are 
taken  from  the  care  of  the  parent  birds, 
they  should  be  fed  on  stale  sponge-cake, 
rubbed  to  powder,  with  the  addition  of  the 
hard-boiled  white  of  an  egg.  The  yolk 
should  not  now  be  given  to  them,  as  it  is 
too  heating,  and  can  only  do  injury.  Add 
a  little  water,  which  will  make  this  up  into 
a  thick  paste;  not  too  much,  for  the  com- 
position will  then  be  too  liquid  and  digest 
so  rapidly  as  to  be  of  very  little  use  to  the 
bird. 

When  your  young  birds  get  to  be  three 

or  four  days  old,  and  are  acquiring  strength 

and  vigour,  a  small  quantity  of  rape-seed, 

over  which  boiling  water  has  been  poured, 

5 


50  CANARY-BIRD. 

may  be  added  to  the  composition  already 
described.  The  seed  need  not  be  bruised, 
as  they  are  then  capable  of  digesting 
them.  A  sweet  almond  or  two,  chopped 
fine,  with  a  small  proportion  of  chick-weed 
seed,  may  occasionally  be  given  to  them. 
The  latter  is  very  requisite  for  them,  when 
the  weather  is  hot  and  dry,  at  least  twice  a 
day.  Should  you  observe  strictly  this 
prescribed  mode  of  feeding,  the  certainty 
of  your  birds  thriving  is  so  great,  that 
it  will  be  impossible  to  lose  one  in  fifty. 

When  your  young  birds  first  commence 
feeding  themselves,  should  any  of  them 
fall  ill,  they  must  be  treated  according  to 
the  following  directions.  Take  three  table- 
spoonsful  of  hemp-seed,  first  carefully  wash- 
ed in  cold  watef,  bruise  it  in  a  mortar, 
immediately  placing  it  in  fresh  cold  water 
a  second  time,  from  which  take  it  again 
and  place  it  in  a  fragment  of  clean  linen, 
then  squeeze  the  entire  juice  of  the  contents 
into  the  last  used  water  through  the  cloth. 
This  forms  a  draught  called  by  fanciers 


CANARY-BIRD.  51 

"milk  of  hemp-seed;"  which  is  extremely 
strengthening  and  nourishing  to  young 
birds.  The  water  fount  should  always  be 
removed  before  placing  the  medicine  in 
the  cage. 

When  you  bring  up  birds  by  hand,  they 
require  frequent  feeding,  and  should  be 
attended  to  every  two  hours  at  farthest. 
To  ensure  complete  and  permanent  suc- 
cess, there  is  no  other  thing  so  absolutely 
necessary  as  regularity,  by  which  I  mean 
the  observing  the  utmost  strictness  in 
keeping  to  the  same  hours  of  feeding 
every  day;  these  hours  being  as  frequent 
as  possible.  They  should  be  fed  with  a 
small  piece  of  sharpened  wood,  and  at  the 
time  of  feeding,  allowed  as  much  as  they 
will  eat,  which  is  generally  four  or  five 
mouthfuls.  It  will  be  easy  to  perceive 
when  they  are  fully  satisfied,  as  they  then 
refuse  to  open  their  mouths,  at  which 
time  the  operation  should  cease,  as  were 
the  feeder  to  force  them  to  swallow  more, 
it  would  have  the  effect  not  only  of  dis- 


52  CANARY-BIRD. 

tending  their  craws,  which  would  make 
them  unhandsome  birds  hereafter,  but 
likewise  give  them  a  disease  called  the 
"surfeit,"  which  arises  in  consequence  of 
a  weakness  of  their  digestive  powers  at 
that  early  period  of  their  lives.  This  may 
too  often  prove  fatal.  When  they  get  to 
be  three  weeks  or  a  month  old,  you  may 
discontinue  feeding  in  the  above  manner, 
for  they  will  then  be  able  to  attend  to 
themselves;  but  this  must  be  done  for  at 
least  the  time  stated.  The  young  birds 
should  at  first  be  put  in  a  cage  without 
perches;  for  if  not,  they  will  be  apt  to 
strain,  or  otherwise  injure  themselves, 
from  an  ambitious  peculiarity  belonging 
to  all  the  feathered  tribe — the  desire  to 
reach  an  elevated  position.  At  this  time 
I  would  recommend  the  fancier  to  place  a 
little  rape  and  canary-seed  in  the  cage; 
as  the  birds  cannot  too  soon  learn  to  feed 
on  those  articles,  nor  in  fact  commence  to 
feed  at  all;  but  the  seeds  should  be  scalded 


CANARY-BIRD.  53 

previous,  or  else  the  outer  shells  would  be 
difficult  for  their  tender  bills  to  break. 

When  you  see  that  they  have  gained 
sufficient  strength,  but  not  before,  you 
may  gradually  remove  the  soft  food  en- 
tirely from  them,  and  leave  them  nothing 
at  last  but  rape,  yellow,  millet  and  canary- 
seed.  They  should  likewise  have  placed 
in  their  boxes  or  founts,  but  only  occa- 
sionally, a  small  portion  of  hemp-seed, 
bruised  with  a  roller,  which  is  nutritious 
at  all  times  if  given  sparingly,  but  espe- 
cially the  best  for  them  in  the  winter 
season. 

It  has  long  been,  and  still  continues  a 
matter  of  contention  among  professional 
bird-fanciers — whether  birds  brought  up 
by  hand,  or  those  reared  from  the  nest, 
are  the  strongest  and  best  songsters? 
Some  assert  the  former,  predicating  their 
position  on  the  extraordinary  attention 
they  receive  from  the  rearer;  while  others 
insist  that  those  raised  by  the  birds  are 
the  most  preferable.  My  own  opinion  is 
5* 


54  CANARY-BIRD. 

in  favour  of  the  hand-raised  birds,  which 
not  only  receive  more  care,  and  conse- 
quently should  be  the  most  vigorous,  but 
they  are  likewise  rendered  far  more  docile 
and  affectionate  by  the  operation.  Be- 
sides, it  often  occurs  that  young  birds 
solely  attended  by  the  parents,  should  the 
old  ones  fall  sick  during  the  time  of  breed- 
ing, which  is  a  frequent  occurrence,  be- 
come afflicted  with  a  kind  of  consumption, 
analogous  to  that  which  is  common  to 
the  human  species.  The  parents,  likewise, 
frequently  have  five  or  six  young  birds  in 
one  nest  under  their  care,  and  being 
severely  fatigued  in  providing  and  carry- 
ing food  for  so  many,  often  neglect  and 
sometimes  even  forsake  them.  Of  course, 
even  in  the  former  instance,  the  young 
become  feeble  and  very  often  die.  It  also 
becomes  a  matter  of  great  relief  to  the 
adults  when  the  birds  are  taken  from  them 
at  ten  or  twelve  days  old,  and  they  live 
much  longer  than  when  they  have  the 
whole  task  of  rearing  them  themselves. 


CANARY-BIRD.  55 

Besides,  it  is  a  matter  of  greater  profit  to 
the  breeder,  since  the  parents  the  sooner 
gather  strength,  and  are  capable  of  raising 
a  greater  number  of  birds  in  a  season. 
The  young,  as  I  before  said,  likewise  be- 
come more  familiar,  and  are  far  less  apt 
to  die  during  the  time  of  moulting. 

The  quantity  of  birds  gained  by  this 
treatment  is,  on  the  average,  at  the  least 
one  more  brood  of  young  to  every  pair  of 
adults;  and  these  can,  without  fatiguing  or 
doing  themselves  the  slightest  injury,  raise 
four  and  sometimes  even  five  nests  in  one 
summer;  the  next  season  being  as  fully 
able  and  in  as  good  a  position  to  breed, 
as  they  were  at  the  commencement  of  the 
one  previous. 

Should  a  frosty  day  or  two  occur  when 
the  young  are  first  hatched,  the  warmth 
of  the  apartment  in  which  they  are  situated 
must  be  increased,  to  prevent  any  fatal 
results;  and  should  there  be  any  prospect 
of  a  long  continuance  of  cold  weather,  the 
pairs  that  have  not  then  laid  should  be 


56  CANARY-BIRD. 

withdrawn  from  the  breeding  cages.  This 
last  should  only  be  done  when  it  promises 
to  be  very  severe. 

The  first  and  second  nests  are  always 
the  best,  solely  for  the  reason  of  their 
being  better  attended  to  and  fed  by  the 
parents  than  any  subsequent  broods,  and 
perforce  must  be  the  strongest  and  most 
vigorous  birds.  These  first  broods  have 
also  the  moult  occurring  during  more  con- 
genial months,  at  the  latest  in  June  or 
July,  while  the  later-produced  birds  do  so 
during  the  generally  cold  and  raw  seasons 
of  October  and  November.  Young  birds 
may  be  moulted  singly,  which  some  prefer, 
or  in  a  fly,  (large  cage,)  or  an  airy,  warm 
room.  If  in  a  cage,  not  more  than  ten  or 
at  the  outside  twelve  birds  should  be 
placed  together,  which  number  may  be 
associated  without  the  slightest  injury, 
which  answers  nearly  or  equally  as  well 
as  keeping  them  separately;  for  if  there 
be  more,  disease  and  death  in  a  heavy 
degree  will  certainly  be  the  result. 


CANARY-BIRD.  57 

To  those  who  intend  rearing  birds,  no- 
thing will  be  found  so  beneficial  as  the 
keeping  a  book,  in  which  should  be  care- 
fully noted  the  number  of  the  cage,  when 
the  first  egg  is  laid,  the  commencement  of 
the  hen's  sitting,  and  the  time  the  young 
should  be  hatched.  Those  who  observe 
these  rules  will  never  have  cause  to  regret 
it;  as  they  will  be  provided  for  all  contin- 
gencies, and  know  when  and  how  soon  to 
commence  providing  for  the  coming  young 
ones. 

Breeding  birds  seldom  if  ever  live  for  a 
longer  period  of  time  than  twelve  years; 
while  others,  who  are  kept  for  the  sole 
enjoyment  of  their  song,  have  been  fre- 
quently known  to  attain  the  age  of  twenty 
years  and  upwards. 

SECT.  VII. — On  the  distinguishing  charac- 
teristics of  the  sexes  in  Canaries. 

The  readiest,  though  till  now  almost 
unknown  method  of  discovering  whether 


58  CANARY-BIRD. 

a  bird  is  a  male  or  a  female,  is  by  taking 
it  in  your  hand,  holding  it  gently,  and  then 
blowing  apart  the  feathers  on  the  abdo- 
men. In  the  male,  the  lower  portion  of 
the  body  gradually  tapers  off  toward  the 
tail,  and  is  slender,  neat  and  close  feather- 
ed; while  the  breast-bone  is  larger  and 
more  pointed  than  in  the  female,  in  whom 
that  portion  is  rather  the  reverse,  the  dis- 
tance from  the  breast-bone  to  the  tail 
greater,  and  the  whole  appearance  of  the 
abdomen  fuller  and  more  rounded.  With 
a  little  practice,  and  a  comparison  of  the 
different  sexes,  the  fancier  will  be  enabled 
to  judge  of  a  bird's  gender  at  all  seasons, 
and  will  not  fail,  so  certain  is  the  system, 
once  in  a  hundred  instances.  This  is  a 
new  method,  now  for  the  first  time  pub- 
lished. 

The  older  and  more  common  plan  of 
discovering  the  sexes,  is  by  the  colours  of 
the  birds.  The  male  always  being  of  a 
richer  and  brighter  hue  under  the  throat, 
and  wearing  a  streak  of  brilliant  yellow 


CANARY-BIRD.  59 

over  the  eye.  His  head  is  likewise  larger, 
wider  and  much  longer  than  the  female's, 
and  he  has  always  a  greater  brilliancy 
of  plumage.  His  legs  are  thicker  and 
stronger,  and  his  feet  and  claws  are  of 
larger  proportions. 

Some  fanciers  only  distinguish  them 
when  they  commence  to  sing,  or  rather 
warble;  this  all  the  young  males,  or  a  ma- 
jority of  them,  generally  do  when  they  first 
commence  to  peck  hard  seed,  which  hap- 
pens at  the  age  of  a  month;  but  when  they 
have  passed  their  first  moult  they  strike 
their  notes  with  considerable  precision 
and  clearness.  They  should  then,  to  pre- 
vent mistakes,  be  separated,  the  males 
placed  in  one  cage  and  the  females  in 
another,  as  the  sexes  become  known. 
The  males  are  also  much  sprightlier  in 
action,  quicker  and  more  agile  in  their 
motions,  and  always  more  taper,  graceful 
and  slender  in  proportions  than  the  female. 

To  test  the  difference  of  appearance 
between  the  male  and  female,  place  two 


60  CANARY-BIRD. 

mealy  birds,  of  whose  sexes  you  are  aware, 
in  a  cage  together;  you  will  then  see  the 
variation  in  colour,  form  and  figure;  and 
may  readily  perceive  and  understand  the 
characteristics  of  each.  Some  fanciers 
pretend  to  tell  the  sexes  by  the  brightness 
of  the  colour  on  the  saddle  of  the  bird  and 
on  the  shoulders  of  the  wings:  now  all  of 
these  rules  may  be  observed  in  connection 
with  each  other,  but  the  first  rule  that  we 
have  given,  is,  by  far,  the  most  certain. 

The  young  fancier  will  now  be  easily 
able  to  select  his  birds,  as  the  remarks 
before  mentioned  will  apply  in  all  cases; 
but  if  he  depends  wholly  upon  colour  in 
making  his  selection,  he  may,  in  some  few 
instances,  be  liable  to  mistake,  as  it  some- 
times occurs  that  the  male  and  female  so 
closely  resemble  each  other  in  outer  ap- 
pearance and  plumage,  as  to  require  an 
old  arid  experienced  judge  to  detect  the 
difference. 


CANARY-BIRD.  61 

SECT.  VIII. — On  the  teaching  Canaries  an 
artificial  system  of  song. 

Among  the  various  songsters  of  the 
feathered  tribe,  none  is  so  much  a  favour- 
ite, nor  so  generally  esteemed  for  the 
sweetness,  regularity  and  power  of  his 
song  as  the  Canary-bird.  Among  his 
many  excellent  qualities,  one  of  the  most 
striking  perhaps,  is  his  singular  talent  of 
imitation,  and  his  facility  in  acquiring  all 
the  different  changes  and  variations  of  an 
air  of  music;  but  this  only  occurs  when 
young,  and  before  his  taste  is  formed  for 
the  notes  given  to  him  by  nature.  The 
system  of  tuition,  which  is  either  by  a 
flageolet,  or  most  commonly  by  a  serinette 
or  bird-organ,  is  very  simple,  and  will  re- 
quire but  little  of  the  fancier's  time  and 
attention.  By  these  instruments  they  will 
easily  learn  whole  tunes.  Among  the 
different  methods  pursued  for  this  purpose, 
I  would  recommend  the  following  as  the 
6 


52  CANARY-BIRD. 

most  suitable  and  best  calculated  to  effect 
the  desired  end. 

In  from  ten  days  to  two  weeks  after 
your  bird  commences  to  feed  himself, 
first  putting  him  in  a  separate  cage,  re- 
move him  from  all  society  of  his  kind,  to 
some  close  apartment,  where  it  will  be 
impossible  for  him  to  hear  the  whistle  of 
any  other  bird.  You  may  do  this  at  an 
earlier  period,  if  you  hear  him  make  any 
attempts  at  his  natural  song.  His  cage 
should  then  be  covered  with  a  thin  linen 
cloth,  for  a  week  to  ten  days,  before  you 
commence  operations,  in  order  to  make 
him  as  solitary  and  as  tame  as  possible. 
The  flageolet  or  the  bird-organ  may  now 
be  used.  Neither  of  these  instruments 
must  be  too  shrill  or  harsh;  as  the  bird 
will  invariably  follow  in  the  same  tone, 
which  will  cause  in  him  so  great  an  exer- 
tion of  the  lungs,  that  death  will  in  all 
probability  be  induced. 

When  fifteen  days  have  elapsed,  it  will 
become  necessary  to  substitute  a  piece  of 


CANARY-BIRD.  63 

thick  red  or  green  flannel,  for  the  thin 
linen  cloth,  with  the  former  of  which  he 
must  remain  covered  until  he  is  fully  per- 
fect in  the  air  that  you  are  labouring  to 
teach  him.  The  best  time  of  feeding  him 
during  this  period,  is  at  night;  since  then 
he  will  not  become  alarmed,  or  have  his 
mind  diverted  from  the  tune  which  you 
may  wish  to  play  to  him,  during  the  fol- 
lowing day. 

Some  fanciers  endeavour  to  learn  their 
little  favourites  a  number  of  airs;  but  it  is 
by  far  the  best  system  to  teach  them  only 
one;  for  however  talented  the  birds  may 
be,  they  will  be  apt  to  confound  the  dif- 
ferent tunes,  which  would  be  a  great  dis- 
appointment. The  time  of  learning  de- 
pends entirely  upon  the  calibre  of  the 
bird;  a  sprightly,  active  one  generally 
becoming  perfect  in  his  lesson  in  two  or 
three  months,  while  others  are  sometimes 
as  long  as  six  months.  In  a  task  of  this 
kind,  the  fancier  should  never  be  dis- 
couraged; as  if  he  observes  the  rules  laid 


64  CANARY-BIRD. 

down  at  first  he  is  sure  of  ultimate  suc- 
cess. Patience  is  the  best  requisite,  the 
observance  of  which  will  produce  for  the 
owner,  a  valuable,  interesting  and  curious 
bird. 

I  before  remarked  that  the  organ  or 
flageolet  should  be  soft  and  mellow  in  its 
tune,  for  were  it  harsh,  independent  of  the 
danger  to  the  lungs  of  the  bird,  it  has  in 
my  opinion  a  greater  evil,  since  the  bird 
always  closely  imitates  even  the  faults  of 
the  instrument.  The  time  for  giving  the 
lessons  should  be  thus  divided:  two  lessons 
in  the  morning  as  soon  as  you  rise,  one 
or  two  at  different  hours  of  the  day,  and 
two  at  a  late  hour  in  the  afternoon,  which 
last,  with  the  morning  lessons,  are  always 
most  profitable  to  the  bird. 

At  each  lesson  it  will  be  necessary  to 
repeat  the  same  tune  several  times,  play- 
ing it  slowly  and  always  entirely  through, 
so  that  the  student  may  be  enabled  to 
catch  every  note.  The  birds  best  adapt- 
ed for  this  purpose,  as  it  requires  some 


CANARY-BIRD.  65 

strength  to  enable  them  to  pass  through 
its  apparent  severity,  are  the  mealy,  splash- 
ed or  green  Canaries,  who  are  always 
more  powerful  than  the  dark  yellows  or 
jongues,  these  being  the  weakest,  although 
the  handsomest  of  their  race.  You  must 
never  attempt  to  teach  more  than  one  in 
the  same  apartment,  as  they  will  always, 
after  your  departure,  practise  upon  the  air 
they  have  heard,  and  are  sure  to  lead  each 
other  into  a  wrong  conception  of  the  tune. 
This  is  an  evil  which  it  is  almost  impossi- 
ble, or  at  least  very  difficult  and  trouble- 
some, to  rectify. 

SECT.  IX. — On  the  necessary  treatment  for 
sullen  and  savage  male-birds. 

It  is  a  frequent  occurrence  to  the  bird- 
fancier  who  attends  largely  to  the  propa- 
gation of  the  Canary,  to  find  in  his  aviary 
occasionally  some  sullen,  unsociable  and 
unmanageable  cock-birds.  These  are 
readily  distinguished  by  their  different 


(56  CANARY-BIRD. 

behaviour,  when  in  full  health,  from  the 
rest  of  the  tribe;  being  thoughtful  and 
even  very  sad  and  melancholy  in  appear- 
ance, singing  very  rarely,  and  when  at- 
tempting to  sing,  having  their  song  short 
and  without  any  of  the  natural  sweetness 
of  the  tribe.  When  you  observe  this 
alteration  in  any  of  your  young  birds, 
immediately  remedy  it  by  placing  them  in 
a  room,  where  they  will  have  an  opportu- 
nity of  imitating  the  manners  and  melody 
of  old,  high  spirited  and  courageous  cock- 
birds  of  fine  song,  or  else  your  obstinate 
bird  will  be  worth  nothing.  The  advan- 
tage, however,  which  he  receives,  under 
the  tuition  of  fine  birds,  is  extremely 
great;  as  by  degrees  he  acquires  the 
habits,  manners  and  song  of  the  other, 
until  his  character  at  last  becomes  en- 
tirely changed. 

If,  when  you  happen  to  pair  a  hen  with 
a  cock-bird  of  this  hypochondriacal  charac- 
ter, she  should  by  any  accident  become 
sick  and  die,  your  male  bird  will,  in  nine 


CANARY-BIRD.  67 

out  of  ten  cases,  pine  away  and  follow 
her,  inconsolable  for  the  loss  of  his  mate, 
whose  death  will  bring  back  all  his  former 
character.  It  occasionally  happens  that 
you  will  have  in  your  collection,  a  cock- 
bird  of  an  extraordinary  savage  temper, 
who,  upon  the  introduction  of  a  hen  into 
his  cage,  will  fall  upon  and  immediately 
kill  her.  When  this  happens,  the  best 
remedy  will  be  to  take  a  hen  a  year  or 
two  older  than  the  cock,  and  one  of  the 
same  age  with  him,  or  a  year  younger, 
which  birds  must  have  been  kept  together 
for  some  time  previous,  and  have  be- 
come perfectly  sociable  and  familiar  with 
each  other.  When  the  season  for  breeding 
arrives  and  you  wish  to  pair  your  savage, 
place  the  hens  in  a  very  large  breeding- 
cage,  and  when  they  have  become  per- 
fectly used  to  it,  and  regard  it  as  their 
property,  turn  him  in  with  them.  This 
will  be  scarcely  done  before  he  will  at- 
tempt to  conquer  or  kill  the  hens;  but  they 
having  room  to  fly  about,  will  together 


68  CANARY-BIRD. 

soon  conquer  and  reduce  him  to  entire 
submission.  He  will  then  immediately 
mate  with  them,  and  ever  after  be  a  socia- 
ble and  friendly  bird.  The  union  will 
also  be  productive  of  much  profit  to  the 
fancier,  as  these  forced  matches  always 
result  in  the  production  of  a  by  far 
greater  number  of  young  birds,  than  those 
do  whose  coupling  was  attended  with 
little  or  no  difficulty. 

It  sometimes  happens  that  you  will 
have  a  cock-bird  who,  as  soon  as  the  hen 
lays,  will  very  unnaturally  break  and  eat 
the  egg,  and  again  another  who  will, 
immediately  upon  their  hatching,  throw 
the  young  from  the  nest,  and  then  pull  and 
drag  them  with  his  bill  around  the  cage 
until  they  are  dead.  In  the  first  instance, 
the  following  system  will  soon  terminate 
his  egg-eating  propensities,  which  arise 
either  from  a  want  of  such  kind  of  food, 
or  a  desire  to  possess  the  constant  society 
of  the  hen.  You  should  take  a  clear  egg, 
which  must  be  carefully  blown  and  then 


CANARY-BIRD.  69 

filled  with  mustard;  the  newly  laid  egg 
must  then  be  taken  out  of  the  box  and  the 
other  inserted  in  its  stead.  The  cock-bird 
will,  on  discovering  it,  immediately  attempt 
to  suck  it,  an  attempt  which  I  will  war- 
rant he  will  never  dream  of  again.  If  you, 
out  of  tenderness  for  him,  would  prefer  a 
milder  course,  take  him  from  the  hen  and 
put  him  in  a  separate  cage  near  her,  until 
she  has  done  laying,  which  always  hap- 
pens by  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning;  then 
take  her  egg  from  the  nest,  replacing  it 
with  an  ivory  one.  After  this  the  bird 
may  be  returned  to  its  old  locality. 

This  separation  should  be  repeated 
every  night,  returning  him  each  time  when 
you  have  removed  the  egg,  until  the  hen 
has  completed  her  quantity;  but  then  he 
must  be  kept  from  her  until  her  brood  is 
hatched,  and  the  young  able  to  fly  about. 
This  is  of  course  effectual;  but  the  first 
mode  is  the  most  simple  and  the  most 
certain.  Care  should  be  taken  of  the 
eggs  removed  from  the  bird,  and  a  box 


70  CANARY-BIRD. 

kept  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  retaining 
them  safe.  This  should  have  different 
apartments,  if  you  have  more  than  one 
pair,  each  of  which  should  be  numbered 
with  the  number  of  the  cage  to  which  the 
eggs  belong,  and  be  filled  with  bran,  wool, 
hair  or  tow,  to  prevent  them  from  be- 
coming cracked  or  broken.  It  sometimes 
occurs  that  you  will  find  a  hen,  who,  upon 
your  removing  her  eggs,  will  immediately 
forsake  her  nest.  When  this  happens, 
you  will  have  to  run  the  risk  of  your 
cock-bird. 

The  male  Canary,  in  the  course  of  the 
breeding  season,  and  when  the  hen  has 
young  ones,  will  sometimes  fall  sick.  The 
most  proper  method  is  to  remove  him 
from  the  cage,  and  give  him  a  liftle  repose 
for  a  week  or  ten  days;  as  his  illness 
may  probably  arise  from  his  being  fed 
upon  the  rich,  soft  food  intended  for  the 
young;  such  as  chopped  egg,  green  meat, 
&c.  &c.  After  this  period,  during  which 
he  must  be  fed  upon  hard  seed,  you  may 


CANARY-BIRD.  71 

replace  him  in  his  former  situation  with 
the  hen;  but  should  he  fall  sick  a  second 
time,  he  must  be  again  removed,  and 
totally,  from  the  female;  as  the  married 
life  is  not  congenial  to  his  health,  and  he 
will  answer  better  as  a  song-bird  than  a 
breeder.  The  hen  should  be  treated  in 
nearly  the  same  manner  when  in  the  same 
circumstances,  her  eggs  removed  from 
her,  and  placed  under  some  other  sitting 
hen  to  be  hatched,  or  the  young  ones  put 
under  one  who  has  young  and  can  attend 
to  them. 

One  of  the  most  dangerous  accidents  to 
which  the  hen  Canary  is  liable,  is  to  be 
what  fanciers  call  "egg-bound."  When 
this  happens,  she  immediately  falls  off  her 
perch  upon  her  back,  and  often  dies  be- 
fore the  fact  of  her  sickness  is  discovered. 
The  proper  treatment  is  to  take  her  at 
once  from  the  cage  or  room,  and  gently 
rub  the  lower  part  of  her  abdomen  with  a 
little  sweet  almond  or  olive  oil,  which 
will  have  the  effect  of  enabling  her  to  dis- 


72  CANARY-BIRD. 

charge  her  egg  by  the  relaxation  caused  by 
the  application.  The  best  thing,  however, 
in  this  case,  is  prevention,  which  may 
easily  be  done  by  keeping  a  large  piece  of 
mortar  in  the  cage,  at  which  the  hen  may 
peck  at  all  times,  and  which  will  always 
enable  her  to  lay  her  eggs  without  any 
difficulty. 

The  hen  Canary  is  likewise  subject  to 
another  disease  of  the  nature  of  a  fever, 
which  arises  from  her  close  confinement 
on  her  warm  nest.  The  heat  of  her  body 
is  oftentimes  so  great  as  to  stifle  her 
young  ones,  especially  if  the  illness  at- 
tacks her  before  the  young  ones  are  a 
week  old.  The  best  method  then  is,  to 
take  and  place  them  under  another  hen,  if 
there  happens  to  be  one  who  at  that  time 
has  nestlings;  if  not,  you  will  have  to  run 
the  risk.  The  hen  will  then  be  able  to  re- 
pose herself,  which  will  at  once  remove  the 
disease.  It  sometimes  occurs  that  the 
hen  will  not  sit  when  she  has  laid  her  full 
complement  of  eggs;  this  indisposition  to 


CANARY-BIRD.  73 

attend  to  her  maternal  duties,  frequently 
arises  from  the  eggs  being  clear  and  un- 
productive, which  may  easily  be  found  out 
by  holding  them  up  to  the  light.  If  they 
be  bad,  they  may  be  thrown  away  as  use- 
less; but  if  good,  they  may  be  placed 
under  another,  or  divided  between  two 
hens,  to  be  hatched. 

When  your  Canary  happens  to  break 
his  leg  in  the  cage,  which  sometimes 
occurs  from  the  length  of  his  nails  or 
claws  catching  in  some  inequality  in  the 
perch,  he  should  be  put  in  a  small  cage 
without  any  perches,  until  it  becomes 
well.  The  best  plan,  however,  is  to  ex- 
amine your  birds  occasionally,  and  when 
you  find  their  claws  too  long,  to  cut  the 
tips  of  them  off  with  a  sharp  pair  of  scis- 
sors. The  perches  must  also  be  perfectly 
smooth,  round  and  strong,  and  when 
placed  in  the  back  of  the  cage,  should  be 
sharpened  down  to  a  fine  point,  which 
should  be  inserted  in  a  hole  made  by  a 
blunt  awl.  This  will  prevent  the  breeding 
7 


74  CANARY-BIRD. 

of  insects  around  it,  who  always  seek 
such  situations,  concealing  themselves 
from  observation  between  the  perch  and 
the  back,  whenever  the  bar,  as  it  most 
usually  is,  is  fastened  with  wire.  The 
hole,  however,  must  never  go  entirely 
through  the  wood.  Whenever  you  have 
two  nests  of  birds  in  one  cage,  or  hatched 
at  the  same  time  in  a  room,  some  of  which 
are  stronger  than  the  others,  which  gene- 
rally happens  from  the  first  laid  eggs 
producing  the  first  young,  place  the  strong 
of  the  one  with  the  strong  of  the  other, 
and  the  weak  with  the  weak  in  a  like 
manner  of  the  other  nest.  This  is  a  ne- 
cessary proceeding,  otherwise  the  strong 
would  get  all  the  food  from  the  younger 
birds,  who  would  consequently  perish. 

As  every  breeder  is  desirous  of  obtain- 
ing the  greatest  possible  number  of  birds 
in  the  course  of  a  season,  it  would  be 
advisable  when  you  happen  to  have  a 
strong  and  vigorous  male  bird,  who  is 
readily  told  by  his  loud  singing  at  frequent 


CANARY-BIRD.  75 

intervals  during  the  day,  and  his  constant 
activity,  to  associate  him  with  two  fe- 
males. To  do  this  successfully,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  have  two  apartments  in  your 
breeding-cage,  which  can  be  done  by 
having  a  division  in  the  middle,  with  a 
small  door  through  which  the  cock-bird 
can  pass,  as  the  several  wants  of  his  par- 
ties require  his  assistance.  The  hens, 
whenever  this  system  is  intended,  should 
always  be  placed  in  the  same  cage  to- 
gether, for  sometime  before,  and  gradu- 
ally accustomed  to  each  other's  society, 
to  prevent  the  possibility  of  disagreement. 
But,  by  far  the  most  pleasant  and 
agreeable  method  of  breeding  birds,  as  it 
always  occasions  less  trouble,  and  is  pro- 
ductive of  greater  enjoyment  than  cage 
rearing,  is  that  of  taking  a  small  room, 
which  should  either  open  on  the  south  or 
east,  and  in  which  should  be  placed  six 
handsome  strong  jonque,  or  dark  yellow 
male  birds,  with  double  the  number  of 
females;  a  system  of  raising  young  which 


76  CANARY-BIRD. 

is  nearly  always  successful.  The  room 
should  have  a  table  in  the  centre,  well 
supplied  with  deer's  or  cow's  hair,  moss 
and  wool,  or  tow,  for  the  making  of  nests, 
the  seeds  and  food  of  different  kinds  most 
suitable  at  that  season,  and  water  in 
fountains  and  pans,  the  first  for  drinking, 
the  last  for  bathing.  The  floor  should  be 
entirely  covered  with  fine  red  gravel  or 
coarse  sand,  and  neat  round  perches  be 
run  from  one  side  of  the  room  to  another, 
or  the  limbs  of  a  dead  tree  placed  in 
various  positions  for  them  to  perch  upon. 
They  should  also  have  fastened  in  some 
part  of  the  room,  where  it  will  be  easy 
of  access,  pieces  of  the  bones  of  the 
"Osepia  or  Cuttle-fish;"  a  thing  which 
Canaries  should  never  be  without  at  any 
season  of  the  year,  much  less  in  the 
breeding  season.  This  can  be  obtained 
constantly  at  the  various  seed-warehouses 
of  the  city,  or  in  country  towns  at  the 
various  apothecary  shops.  The  window 
of  the  room  should  be  fitted  with  a  neat 


CANARY-BIRD.  77 

wire-work  bow  on  the  outside,  with  perches 
for  the  birds  to  sit,  for  the  purpose  of 
sunning  and  airing  themselves,  and  the 
window-sash  raised  whenever  the  weather 
is  warm,  clear  and  fine.  The  nest  boxes, 
in  which  baskets  should  be  inserted,  should 
be  hung  up  in  various  parts  of  the  room 
against  the  wall,  in  various  situations,  so 
that  the  birds  may  make  choice  for  them- 
selves, and  should  be  one  in  number  for 
every  female  bird  in  the  apartment,  to 
enable  the  birds  to  select  those  which 
they  deem  most  preferable  for  occupa- 
tion. 

SECT.  X. — General  remarks  upon  breeding 
birds. 

The  number  of  nests  made  by  the  Ca- 
nary-bird in  a  season,  depends  almost 
entirely  upon  the  strength  and  character  of 
the  male  and  female,  and  on  the  modes  pur- 
sued by  the  fancier.  Some  make  and  rear 
7* 


78  CANARY-BIRD. 

but  two,  while  others  build  three  or  four, 
and  frequently,  under  judicious  manage- 
ment, as  many  as  six  in  a  single  spring  and 
summer,  producing  from  four  to  six  eggs 
in  each  nest.  When  the  fancier  is  pos- 
sessed of  a  strong  stock  of  birds,  by  care- 
ful feeding  and  close  attention,  he  will 
readily  render  them  almost  beyond  price, 
as  each  pair  will,  in  such  case,  produce 
from  twenty  to  thirty,  and  sometimes  even 
thirty-five  eggs,  in  the  course  of  the  breed- 
ing months. 

The  best  mode  of  ascertaining  the  good- 
ness of  eggs,  is,  after  the  hen  has  set  for 
a  week,  to  take  and  place  them  betwixt 
your  eye  and  the  light.  Those  which  are 
fit  to  be  continued  under  the  hen  will 
appear  thick,  opaque  and  muddled,  while 
the  bad  will  be  perfectly  translucent.  The 
latter  may  then  be  thrown  away,  and  the 
good  either  given  to  another  hen,  or  re- 
stored, with  the  addition  from  another 
nest  of  the  wanting  number,  to  their 
former  situation.  This  will  be  found  the 


CANARY-BIRD.  79 

most  certain  method  of  testing  the  charac- 
ter of  eggs. 

When  your  hen  has  ceased  laying  every 
morning,  examine  the  nest  and  take  out 
the  egg,  replacing  it  with  one  made  of 
ivory;  but  as  soon  as  she  has  laid  her  full 
quantity,  which  is  generally  five  or  six, 
take  away  the  ivory  egg  and  return  the 
whole  of  her  eggs  to  their  former  situa- 
tion. The  hen  will  then  commence  sitting, 
and  in  due  time  hatch  all  the  young  to- 
gether; which,  were  the  eggs  left  in  the 
nest,  she  would  not  do  except  at  intervals 
of  several  days;  and  then  the  first  hatched 
birds  would  probably  be  stifled  to  death 
by  the  mother's  continuing  on  the  nest  to 
hatch  the  rest. 

The  hen  always  lays  before  eight  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  If  she  be  not  regular  in 
this  process,  she  is  certain  to  fall  sick  and 
require  the  attention  given  to  egg-bound 
birds,  [see  p.  71,]  which  she  should  imme- 
diately have,  to  prevent  fatal  consequences. 
Whenever  you  remove  eggs  from  the 


80  CANARY-BIRD. 

nest,  be  careful  not  to  fracture  them,  which 
is  frequently  done  by  the  very  fear  of 
doing  so,  in  the  persons  attending  to  them, 
who  let  them  fall  and  break  from  their 
not  holding  them  in  a  careful  manner. 
The  best  way  of  taking  them  from  the 
nest,  is  to  seize  each  with  the  thumb  and 
fore-finger,  holding  it  tightly  and  without 
any  tremor,  as  in  that  case  you  are  cer- 
tain to  fracture  them,  or  with  a  thin  silver- 
spoon,  and  then  place  them  in  the  box 
before  mentioned. 

A  strange  contrariety  of  opinion  is 
expressed  by  the  different  professional 
bird-fanciers  upon  the  following  points. 
Whether  a  hen  Canary  experiences  a 
greater  portion  of  fatigue  in  rearing  and 
feeding  her  young  until  they  are  able  to 
fly;  or  in  being  kept  for  the  purpose  of 
constant  laying,  and  having  her  eggs 
hatched  and  attended  to  by  different  birds? 
Some  hastily  assert  that  the  laying  hen 
becomes  the  weakest,  while  others  more 
sagely  declare  that  the  bird  who  has  the 


CANARY-BIRD.  SI 

constant  care  of  her  eggs  and  young,  for 
so  long  a  period  of  time,  becomes  the  most 
enfeebled.  My  own  opinion,  founded  on 
long  experience,  is  decidedly  in  favour  of 
the  latter  conclusion,  for  which  I  give  the 
following  reasons.  The  bird  in  the  first 
place  has  to  lay  her  full  complement  of 
eggs,  on  which  she  must  set  from  fourteen 
to  fifteen  days,  during  which  time  she  is 
deprived  of  exercise  and  often  very  scantily 
fed  by  the  male;  and  again,  when  the  young 
are  produced,  she  has  the  constant  labour 
of  providing  for  them  and  herself,  for  at 
least  three,  and  sometimes  four,  weeks 
more.  She  is  then  consequently  more 
injured  than  the  other  hen,  who  has  none 
of  this  fatigue,  and  is  enabled  to  fly  about 
and  retain  her  strength,  for  the  sole  arid 
comparatively  trifling  labour  of  laying. 
When  your  hen  is,  as  I  before  remarked, 
scantily  fed  by  the  male,  or  he  refuses,  or 
neglects  to  attend  to  her  and  the  young, 
you  will  see  her  leave  her  nest  and  beat 
him  for  his  unhusband-like  behaviour,  and 


82  CANARY-BIRD. 

then  proceed,  compelling  him  to  assist,  to 
gather  the  best  and  most  nourishing  food 
for  her  neglected  offspring. 

It  is  always  a  matter  of  kindness  when 
your  bird  has  hatched  her  first  nest,  and 
wishes  to  go  to  laying  again,  to  make  her 
second  nest  for  her  yourself;  she  will  then, 
if  you  allow  her  a  little  extra  moss  and 
hair,  without  fatiguing  herself,  finish  it  to 
her  liking.  After  she  has  again  done 
laying,  allow  her  to  set  on  her  eggs  for 
six  or  seven  days,  all  that  are  then  trans- 
lucent may  be  thrown  away  as  worthless, 
and  replaced  with  others  of  the  same  age 
from  another  nest;  while  those  of  a  dark, 
heavy  colour  should  be  retained,  or  put  in 
the  nest  of  another  hen  to  be  hatched  and 
brought  up.  This  last  should  always  be 
done  when  your  hen  is  a  strong  and 
favourite  bird.  After  this  examination 
and  separation,  the  hen  should  be  suffered 
to  enjoy  a  few  days  repose  in  a  separate 
cage.  When  you  consider  that  she  has 
fully  rested  herself,  she  may  be  returned 


CANARY-BIRD.  §3 

to  her  former  situation  and  given  another 
nest,  which  must  likewise  be  made  for 
her  by  yourself;  and  when  she  has  again 
laid  her  proportion  and  has  sat  upon  them 
for  a  week,  you  may  take  them  away  and 
replace  them  with  the  eggs  of  some  other 
hen  within  a  day  or  two  of  hatching. 
These  young  ones  will  then  be  imme- 
diately produced,  and  should  be  fed  by 
her  until  they  are  fourteen  days  old,  and 
then  be  taken  from  her  and  brought  up  by 
hand.  The  hen  should  then  again  be 
rested,  and  for  a  little  longer  time  than 
before,  as  she  will  be  the  stronger  for  it  in 
the  end. 

After  this  last  operation,  your  hen  may 
have  a  third  nest  given  her,  observing  at 
the  same  time  the  former  rule,  which  you 
may  allow  her  to  keep  herself,  hatching 
out  her  own  eggs  and  rearing  the  young 
until  they  are  able  to  fly;  or  you  may 
follow  the  last  mentioned  system  a  second 
time,  and  still  continue  her  on  breeding; 
but  if  you  are  satisfied  with  the  quantity 


84  CANARY-BIRD. 

of  young  ones  she  has  given  you,  you  may 
remove  her  and  her  mate  into  a  small 
cage,  where  they  can  repose  themselves 
thoroughly  and  gain  a  sufficiency  of 
strength  to  enable  them  to  pass  through 
the  moulting  season  safely.  Or  you  may 
again  allow  them  to  rear  another  nest  of 
birds  themselves,  which  they  will  readily 
do,  and  then  they  may  be  finally  sepa- 
rated. 

These  methods  are  calculated  in  nowise 
to  injure  the  birds,  but  rather  the  reverse; 
and  it  is  a  matter  of  well  authenticated 
fact,  that  a  pair  of  birds  treated  in  this 
manner,  will  live  longer  and  do  more  ser- 
vice to  their  owner,  than  a  pair  who  have 
been  allowed  to  go  on  regularly.  These 
last  will  often,  if  over  fatigued  in  the 
breeding,  die  as  soon  as  the  moulting 
season  has  commenced. 


CANARY-BIRD.  §5 

SECT.  XI. — On  the  most  prevalent  diseases 
which  attack  Canaries,  and  the  modes  of 
prevention  and  cure. 

In  the  observance  of  the  various  sorts 
of  diseases  to  which  the  Canary-bird  is 
subject,  the  fancier  can  only  have  recourse 
to  outward  signs,  and  tl|Bs  judge  of  the 
affection  within.  These  are  never  very 
difficult  to  discover,  as  the  Canaries  in- 
variably display,  in  the  coming  on  of  sick- 
ness, strong  and  easily-noted  symptoms. 
We  shall  go  on,  however,  and  describe 
the  different  kinds,  with  their  appropriate 
treatment. 

SURFEIT.  This  is  a  dangerous  disease, 
nearly  always  occurring  in  young  birds, 
when  from  the  age  of  a  month  to  six 
weeks,  and  is  caused  by  their  being  fed 
almost  entirely  by  the  parents  on  the  rich 
food  partially  recommended  for  the  breed- 
ing season.  The  symptoms  of  the  affec- 
tion are  easily  discerned.  The  abdomen 
of  the  patient  becomes  frightfully  enlarged, 
8 


86  CANARY-BIRD. 

and  of  a  dark,  sanguineous  hue;  the  veins 
swell  and  appear  distended  with  blood, 
presenting  a  varicose  appearance;  while 
the  bowels  of  the  affected  bird  partially 
protrude,  forming  complete  prolapsus  ani. 
When  your  bird  is  in  this  condition,  which 
you  will  first  notice  by  his  sitting  on  his 
perch,  or  the  ground,  with  his  feathers 
swelled  out,  take  him  up  for  examination, 
which  may  easily  be  done,  by  blowing 
apart  with  your  mouth  the  feathers  from 
his  stomach.  If  he  be  diseased,  imme- 
diately place  a  small  piece  of  alum  in  his 
water-fount,  replacing  his  water  every  day 
on  the  same  piece  of  alum  for  at  least  a 
whole  week;  if  the  alum  be  dissolved 
entirely  in  the  meantime,  replace  it  by 
another  fragment.  This  will  frequently 
be  found  thoroughly  efficacious.  Another 
apparently  very  simple  though  excellent 
remedy,  is  to  place  a  piece  of  rusty  iron 
in  the  fount  of  the  bird.  Another  mode 
is  to  empty  the  water  pan  of  the  sick  bird 
during  the  night,  and  refill  it  in  the  morn- 


CANARY-BIRD.  §7 

ing  with  water,  in  which  some  common 
salt  has  been  placed.  As  soon  as  the  bird 
has  drank  of  the  contents  several  times, 
you  may  again  give  him  fresh  water.  If 
these  prescriptions  succeed,  which  they 
generally  do,  if  given  in  time,  your  bird 
will  soon  be  on  the  wing  again;  if  not,  he 
will  die. 

Other  modes  than  these  are,  however, 
practised  by  different  fanciers;  all  of  which 
we  append  for  their  excellence. 

Take  a  little  wheaten  bread  and  boil  it 
in  milk,  with  the  same  proportion  of 
canary-seed.  When  boiled  place  it  in  the 
bottom  of  the  bird-cage  every  day  for  a 
week,  first  removing  his  seed  food  the 
night  before,  at  mid-day  taking  it  away, 
and  returning  him  his  seed-box. 

Another  mode  is  frequently  practised 
by  good  fanciers,  which  is  generally  at- 
tended with  the  most  beneficial  results. 
Whenever  you  perceive  your  bird  to  be 
attacked  with  the  disease,  and  the  swelling 
is  apparent  to  the  eye,  heat  a  little  milk 


88  CANARY-BIRD. 

lukewarm  and  hold  him  in  it  until  the 
pores  absorb  a  portion,  which  occupies 
six  or  eight  minutes.  Then  bathe  him  in 
spring  or  pump-water  of  the  same  tem- 
perature as  the  milk;  after  doing  which, 
rub  him  gently  with  a  piece  of  fine  muslin 
before  the  fire,  or  warm  him  in  the  sun,  if 
it  be  shining  in  your  apartment,  till  he  is 
perfectly  dry.  You  may  then  put  him 
back  in  his  cage  and  give  him  a  little 
lettuce-seed,  and  let  him  repose  himself  for 
twenty-four  hours,  the  next  day  pursuing 
the  same  system;  and  so  continue  for  two 
or  three  days,  allowing  him  to  rest  after 
each  operation  a  day,  that  the  means  pur- 
sued may  have  a  good  effect.  This  sys- 
tem, though  apparently  troublesome,  if 
pursued  for  the  given  time,  will  have  the 
effect  in  a  few  days  of  restoring  your  bird 
to  all  his  former  health  and  vigour. 

MOULTING.  This  is,  of  all  others,  the 
most  critical  and  dangerous  period  in  the 
lives  of  Canaries,  and  produces  a  greater 
fatality  among  them  than  any  known  dis- 


CANARY-BIRD.  §9 

ease.  It  is  a  more  fearful  scourge  to 
them  than  the  plague  or  Asiatic  cholera 
has  ever  been  to  mortals;  and  if  they  are 
the  subjects  of  careless  treatment,  or  pos- 
sess injudicious  tenders  as  their  owners, 
may  justly  be  accounted  the  bane  of  their 
tribe.  Even  when  under  the  best  of  care, 
many  of  them  die  from  the  effects,  who 
seem  perfectly  able,  from  strength  of  con- 
stitution, to  resist  its  violence.  This  dis- 
ease is  more  or  less  fatal  according  to  the 
season.  If  the  weather  be  damp  and  cold 
during  and  at  the  coming  of  autumn,  your 
birds  will  die  off  rapidly;  but  if  the  weather 
be  warm  and  mild  you  will  lose  but  few. 
The  time  at  which  young  birds,  to  whom 
it  is  most  dangerous,  moult,  commences 
when  they  arrive  at  the  age  of  six  weeks, 
and  continues  for  a  couple  of  months. 
The  symptoms  of  its  approach  may 
readily  be  seen.  The  young  birds  become 
sad  and  sleepy  in  appearance,  and  set 
upon  their  perches,  or  the  bottoms  of  their 
cages,  with  their  heads  under  their  wings, 


90  CANARY-BIRD. 

for  the  greater  portion  of  the  day,  while 
the  floors  of  their  cages  are  covered  over 
with  small  pin-f,  athers,  which  they  shed 
during  all  the  time,  until  the  new  ones 
appear.  The  young  ones  of  the  Canary 
never  lose  their  wing  or  tail-feathers  until 
the  second  year,  which  seems  a  wise  or- 
dination of  Providence,  for  were  they  to 
do  so,  scarcely  one  in  ten  would  survive. 
They  likewise  eat  very  sparingly,  and  only 
of  that  description  of  food  which  they 
most  prefer,  which  should  always  be  sup- 
plied to  them. 

Great  care  must  be  taken  as  cold 
weather  advances,  to  give  them  the  richest 
kinds  of  food  in  addition  to  their  usual 
allowance,  such  as  hemp-seed  and  sponge- 
cake, with  a  lump  of  loaf-sugar  for  them 
to  peck  at  occasionally.  One  of  the  most 
deadly  things  that  can  happen  to  the 
Canary,  is  to  be  placed  at  this  season  in 
a  cold  place,  or  where  a  draught  can 
reach  him.  This  is  too  frequently  done, 
although  it  will  certainly  cause  his  death. 


CANARY-BIRD.  $\ 

He  should  be  kept  in  the  warmest  room, 
where  no  air  from  without  can  reach  him, 
and  be  put  every  day  in  the  sun,  which 
should  shine  on  him  through  the  glass. 
Should  the  moult  prove  uncommonly  bad, 
take  a  piece  of  sponge-cake  and  soak  it 
in  white  or  sherry  wine,  the  last  is  the 
best,  arid  give  it  to  him,  as  it  will  rein- 
vi^  orate,  and  do  him  a  great  deal  of  ser- 
vice. After  this,  and  every  day  or  two, 
so  long  as  he  seems  droopy,  blow  a  little 
sherry  wine  over  his  feathers,  and  then 
place  him  as  before  in  the  sun,  or  set 
him  nigh  the  fire.  A  lump  of  refined 
liquorice  may  also  be  thrown  in  his 
water,  with  occasionally  a  little  saffron. 

Be  careful  that  your  birds,  during  this 
time,  are  kept  supplied  with  coarse  gravel, 
which  is  now  doubly  beneficial  to  them, 
and  a  great  assistance  in  casting  their 
feathers. 

PlP,  OR  SWELLING  ON  THE  RUMP.       This  is 

another  dangerous  disease,  that  attacks 
the  Canary  not  only  when  young  but  at 


92  CANARY-BIRD. 

all  stages  of  his  life.  It  is  a  species  of 
reddish  pip  or  bile,  which  appears  upon 
the  rump  of  the  bird.  When  the  bile 
appears  small,  the  birds  had  better  be  fed 
on  cooling  seeds,  as  lettuce  and  rape,  and 
suffered  to  break  the  sore  themselves;  but 
if  they  appear  very  heavy  and  sleepy 
looking,  they  require  immediate  attention. 
Take  the  sick  bird  in  your  hand,  and  cut 
off  very  carefully  and  gently  the  upper  half 
of  the  bile  or  swelling.  Then  press  out, 
as  lightly  as  possible,  the  white  or  yellow- 
ish matter  it  may  contain,  and  touch  the 
sore  with  a  little  salt,  which  must  be  pre- 
viously moistened  in  your  mouth.  This 
will  cause  the  bile  to  dry  up.  Should  the 
salt  appear  to  pain  the  Canary,  on  whom 
you  operate,  a  little  moistened  brown- 
sugar  should  be  immediately  applied,  and 
it  will  instantly  alleviate  the  pain  caused 
by  the  previous  application.  Should  the 
bile,  when  you  examine  it,  be  not  come  to 
a  head,  a  little  olive  oil  should  be  gently 
rubbed  upon  and  around  it,  with  a  small 


CANARY-BIRD.  93 

feather.  This  will  allay  the  irritation 
and  inflammation. 

SCABS  ON  THE  HEAD.  This  is  a  mis- 
chievous sickness  which  occasionally  at- 
tacks Canaries,  for  which  the  best  remedy 
is  light  and  cooling  food;  such  as  rape  and 
lettuce-seed,  &c.  and  repose.  Time  and 
nature  are  here  the  only,  as  they  are 
everywhere  the  best,  physicians. 

RED  MITES.  Canaries  are  frequently 
infested  with  these  dangerous  and  trouble- 
some insects,  the  symptoms  of  whose  pre- 
sence, is  the  bird's  pluming  and  feathering 
himself  at  all  hours  of  the  day.  The  cage, 
when  this  is  discovered,  should  be  scrubb- 
ed out  thoroughly,  and  the  shoulders  of 
the  perches,  and  every  crack  and  crevice 
examined  carefully,  as  the  mites  always 
breed  in  such  situations. 

DlARRHCEA,    OR    LOOSENESS.         This    is    a 

very  common  sickness  with  the  Canary, 
which  may  readily  be  cured  by  the  gentle 
application  of  a  little  sweet  almond  or 
olive  oil  to  their  bellies,  and  being  fed 


94  CANARY-BIRD, 

upon  cantelope-melon  seed,  which  must 
be  bruised  for  them,  besides  the  yolk  of 
hard  boiled  eggs,  sponge-cake  and  a  little 
lightly  scalded  lettuce. 

ASTHMA.  Singing  birds  are  frequently 
asthmatic,  or  have  a  strange  kind  of 
croaking  in  the  voice.  The  best  remedy 
for  this  is  sponge-cake,  soaked  in  sherry 
wine,  which  removes  the  difficulty  of 
breathing.  A  few  wild  plantain  leaves 
should  be  inserted  in  their  cage  every  day, 
while  they  are  affected  with  this  malady. 

PERSPIRATION.  This  is  a  disease  which 
only  attacks  the  hen-bird  during  the  com- 
mencement of  the  breeding  season,  and 
which  may  readily  be  removed  by  wash- 
ing her  in  half  a  wine-glass  of  fresh  cold 
water,  in  which  half  a  tea-spoonful  of 
common  salt  has  been  dissolved,  and  then 
bathing  her  in  a  little  lukewarm  water, 
and  standing  her  in  the  sun,  or  should  the 
sky  be  cloudy,  before  the  fire,  to  dry;  when 
she  is  thoroughly  so,  but  not  before,  she 
may  be  returned  to  the  breeding-cage. 


CANARY-BIRD.  95 

CANCER.  A  very  fatal  disease,  very 
prevalent  among  Canaries,  and  seeming 
to  be  contagious.  The  seat  of  this  sick- 
ness is  either  the  bill  or  foot,  that  becomes 
much  swollen,  and  if  not  attended  to  in 
the  early  stage,  always  destroys  the  pa- 
tient. The  best  method  of  cure  is  to 
keep  the  cage  constantly  clean,  so  that 
no  particles  of  dust  or  dirt  may  adhere  to 
the  schirrous  part,  and  to  bathe  it  fre- 
quently with  sweet  almond  or  olive  oil, 
and  wash  it  with  lukewarm  milk. 

COSTIVENESS.  When  Canaries  are  cos- 
tive and  require  purging,  it  may  easily  be 
known  by  the  want  of  appetite  they  dis- 
play, and  by  their  throwing  their  seed 
over  the  cage,  without  eating  any.  The 
best  remedy  is  to  give  them  a  piece  of 
lettuce-leaf,  with  chickweed  and  rape- 
seed  for  two  or  three  days,  and  place  a 
little  sugar-candy  in  their  water-founts. 

WANT  OF  APPETITE.  This  is  a  very 
common  thing  with  the  Canary,  after 
sickness,  during  breeding  or  after  the 


96  CANARY-BIRD. 

termination  of  the  moulting  season.  The 
best  cure  is  to  take  a  handful  of  millet, 
canary,  rape,  yellow  and  a  little  hemp- 
seed,  mixed  with  the  same  quantity  of 
moistened  garden  loam,  and  knead  them 
well  together; — then  drying  it,  and  cutting 
it  up  into  small  pieces,  which  must  be  given 
to  the  bird.  This  medicine  may  be  laid 
away  after  making;  since  it  will  be  per- 
fectly good  for  a  great  length  of  time. 

BROKEN  LIMBS.  When  a  bird  meets 
with  an  accident  of  this  sort,  the  best 
mode  of  treatment  is  to  place  him  or  her 
in  a  cage  without  perches,  with  a  little 
soft  hay,  and  his  seed-box  and  water- fount 
upon  the  floor  of  the  cage,  which  should 
be  covered  round  with  a  cloth,  to  prevent 
him  from  fluttering  about.  Nature  will 
then  do  its  work,  and  a  few  days  will  see 
your  little  favourite  as  strong  as  before 
the  accident. 

DECLINE.  It  sometimes  happens  that  a 
hen  Canary  who  is  kept  from  breeding, 
will  fall  sick  and  die  without  any  apparent 


CANARY-BIRD.  97 

cause,  or  without  exhibiting  any  symp- 
toms of  disease.  This  arises  because 
they  are  denied  the  society  of  the  male 
bird. 

We  have  now  gone  through  the  various 
diseases  to  which  Canaries  are  subject, 
and  shall  close  the  section  by  recommend- 
ing the  amateur  or  professional  fancier, 
who  breeds  and  keeps  a  number  of  birds, 
to  keep  a  separate  or  hospital  cage  for 
those  who  happen  to  be  taken  sick. 
This  should  be  made  of  wood,  with  dark 
sides, — with  a  wicker  and  not  a  wire 
front,  and  covered  inside  with  thick  flannel 
at  the  sides,  top  and  bottom,  to  keep  the 
sick  as  warm  as  possible.  One  reason 
for  this  is,  that  most  diseases  which  attack 
the  Canary,  are  contagious,  and  if  the 
sick  be  kept  in  the  same  cage  or  apart- 
ment with  healthy  birds,  they  may  cause 
the  loss  of  an  entire  collection.  Besides, 
they  require  different  food  and  more 
gentle  treatment  than  those  in  a  state  of 
health. 
9 


98  CANARY-BIRD. 

SECT.  XII. — On  the  various  methods  of 
breeding  "mule-birds"  and  their  general 
management. 

I  have  now  arrived  at  the  closing 
section  of  that  portion  of  my  work  de- 
voted to  the  Canary-bird;  which  I  shall 
conclude  with  a  short  dissertation  on  the 
breeding  and  management  of  "mule- 
birds." 

Mules  are  reared  from  hen  Canaries, 
paired  with  birds  of  different  kinds,  as  the 
Chaffinch,  English  Linnet,  Green-finch; 
but  most  commonly  with  the  English 
Gold-finch;  which  last  association  pro- 
duces the  finest  coloured  birds  and  the 
best  singers.  They  may  be  raised  vice 
versa,  by  pairing  the  females  of  any  of 
these  birds  with  the  male  Canary.  In 
this  country  fine  mules  might  be  raised 
by  coupling  the  males  or  females  of  some 
of  our  choicest  native  birds,  with  the  same 
sexes  of  the  Canary.  The  varieties  most 
adapted  to  this  purpose,  are  the  "Song- 


CANARY-BIRD.  99 

sparrow,"  Fringilla  melodia;  "American 
Gold-finch,  or  Thistle-bird,"  £.  tristis; 
"Purple-finch,  or  American  Linnet,"  F. 
purpurea;  "Indigo-bird,  Blue  Tit,  or  Blue 
Linnet,"  F.  cyanea;  whose  rich  azure  and 
indigo  plumage,  crossed  with  a  bright 
yellow  hen  Canary,  might  produce  birds 
of  a  magnificent  and  exquisite  character, 
both  as  regards  feather  and  song;  and  last, 
though  not  least,  the  splendidly  marked 
"Painted  Bunting,  Nonpareil,  or  Pape"  of 
the  Southern  States,  F.  ciris;  which  may 
frequently  be  obtained  of  our  bird-fanciers, 
or  at  the  warehouses  of  our  best  seed-men. 
Of  each  of  these  more  will  be  said  under 
their  respective  chapters. 

The  Gold-finch,  however,  is  the  most 
esteemed  in  Europe  as  a  breeder  of  mules, 
and  is  the  most  common,  and  at  the  same 
time  most  successful  cross.  The  cock- 
bird  of  this  species  should  be  placed  with 
a  richly  coloured  hen  Canary.  From 
these,  on  account  of  the  rich  colours  of 
the  mule's  plumage,  the  young  birds  are 


100  CANARY-BIRD. 

generally  very  beautiful.  The  following 
methods  must  be  observed,  to  secure  the 
attainment  of  your  object. 

When  you  undertake  to  pair  your  birds, 
take  them  when  young,  and  bring  them 
up  either  under  a  Canary  hen  or  by 
hand,  feeding  them  during  this  prepara- 
tory stage  on  a  mixture  of  one-third  rape 
and  two-thirds  Canary-seed.  This  food 
is  the  best  adapted  for  them  during  the 
breeding  season,  and  under  its  influence 
they  most  readily  pair.  Hemp-seed  should 
never  be  given  to  them,  as  they  become 
greedily  fond  of  it,  owing  to  its  extreme 
oiliness,  and  it  is  the  most  injurious  nutri- 
ment they  could  receive. 

When  the  male-bird  is  a  Gold-finch, 
before  you  pair  him,  carefully  cut  off  the 
extreme  tip  of  his  beak  with  a  pair  of 
sharp  scissors.  Should  it  bleed,  which  it 
may  not  however,  the  application  of  a 
little  moistened  brown-sugar  will  imme- 
diately cure  the  wound.  The  reason  of 
this  proceeding  is  simple,  as  it  hinders 


CANARY-BIRD.  1Q1 

him  from  flying  at  and  attacking  the  fe- 
male Canary,  who  is  frequently  killed  upon 
her  first  introduction  into  his  cage.  It 
also  prevents  him  from  injuring  the  young 
birds,  during  the  process  of  feeding,  which 
he  might  do,  easily,  by  the  sharp  point  of 
his  bill  entering  their  throats  and  killing 
them. 

A  Gold-finch,  before  being  placed  with 
a  Canary,  should  be  two  years  old;  and 
the  same  rule  should  be  observed  with 
any  of  our  wild  birds,  who  are  always 
caught  by  means  of  the  trap-cage.  Other- 
wise, they  would  not  lay  the  first  year  in 
the  cage.  This  circumstance,  but  few 
even  of  our  professional  bird-fanciers 
seem  acquainted  with,  which  is  one 
reason  why  many  persons  are  disap- 
pointed the  first  season;  and  so  give  up 
the  attempt  in  disgust;  never  essaying  a 
second  experiment. 

When  wild  birds  are  intended  to  be 
crossed  or  bred  together,  they  should  be 
placed  in  a  room  or  cage  with  Canaries, 


102  CANARY-BIRD. 

that  they  may  the  more  readily  choose 
their  hen  from  among  the  number;  a  thing 
which  otherwise  will  be  frequently  of 
some  difficulty.  Newly  caught  birds  may 
easily  be  tamed,  by  being  hung  very  low 
in  a  frequented  apartment,  as,  in  that  case, 
they  soon  become  accustomed  to  society, 
and  extremely  familiar. 

It  is  a  general  rule  in  breeding  mules, 
for  the  dealer  to  couple  the  hen-bird  of  the 
Canary  with  the  male-bird  of  the  opposite 
species.  This  is  in  fact  the  most  usual 
system,  but  some  dealers  prefer  breeding 
the  male  Canary  with  the  female  Gold- 
finch or  Linnet,  asserting  at  the  same 
time,  that  the  young  are  handsomer  and 
of  finer  song.  This  may  be  true;  for  the 
rule  is  always  in  favour  of  the  young 
bird's  resemblance  to  the  father,  in  plum- 
age and  possession  of  musical  abilities. 
The  young,  in  this  latter  instance,  differ 
very  materially  in  their  personal  appear- 
ance, for  while  many  are  very  plain,  re- 
sembling the  wild  bird  of  the  opposite 


CANARY-BIRD.  JQ3 

species,  others  are  extremely  beautiful 
and  marked  with  the  various  colours  of 
the  male  and  female  bird;  and  others  are 
again  of  a  snow-white,  being  complete 
albinos.  The  pied  kind  and  the  latter 
species  are  the  most  esteemed,  and  from 
their  rarity,  especially  the  last,  are  sold  at 
exorbitant  prices.  The  cross-birds  raised 
from  the  Linnet,  although  the  plainest  in 
feather,  are  preferable  for  song;  since  they 
possess,  by  far,  the  strongest  and  most 
melodious  voices.  The  attempt  is  fre- 
quently made  to  pair  the  hen  Canary  with 
the  English  Bull-finch;  but  this  though 
occasionally  succeeding,  is  always  a  mat- 
ter of  considerable  difficulty;  the  Bull- 
finch during  the  time  of  coupling,  distend- 
ing his  bill  and  opening  his  mouth  so  wide, 
as  to  excite  the  strongest  terror  in  his 
gentler  and  weaker  companion.  To  en- 
sure success  in  the  matter,  they  should  be 
placed  together  a  season  in  advance,  and 
kept  in  the  same  cage  until  the  following 
spring.  Long  association  will  then  have 


104  CANARY-BIRD. 

accustomed  the  Canary  to  his  demeanour, 
and  the  desired  object  will  be  readily  at- 
tained. 

When  it  is  your  wish  to  breed  Gold- 
finch mules,  and  you  desire  to  rear  those 
of  the  finest  possible  character,  you  must 
closely  observe  the  following  directions. 
The  cock  Canary  must  be  at  least  two 
years  old,  close  feathered,  of  the  very 
deepest  yellow,  and  should  never  yet  have 
been  paired;  for  if  he  has  been  previously 
coupled  with  one  of  his  own  species,  it 
will  be  a  matter  of  considerable  difficulty 
to  mate  him  with  any  other  variety;  still 
more  with  a  bird  of  a  different  colour  and 
habit.  The  female  Gold-finch  should, 
whenever  she  can  be  so  obtained,  be  one 
raised  by  hand,  or  from  the  nest,  or  at 
least  been  captured  a  year  previous  and 
fully  accustomed  to  feeding  on  rape  and 
canary-seeds,  with  scarcely  any  or  no 
hemp-seed;  the  last  being  a  food  which 
I  before  explained  to  be  very  injurious. 

After  they  have  coupled,  and  the  young 


CANARY-BIRD.  JQ5 

are  produced,  thistle-seed  should  be  pro- 
cured and  given  to  the  old  birds.  This  is 
the  food  they  would  receive  in  a  state  of 
nature,  and  is  of  course  best  adapted  for 
their  nutriment  in  that  of  confinement. 
This  may  readily  be  procured  on  the 
fields  and  commons  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  city. 

Your  birds  before  coupling  should  be 
treated  like  Canaries,  that  is,  placed  in  a 
small  cage,  as  long  before  the  breeding 
season  as  possible,  so  that  they  may  be- 
come fully  accustomed  to  each  other's 
society,  previous  to  the  season  of  pairing. 
Should  you  select  your  birds  properly, 
and  closely  observe  the  above  directions, 
you  will  be  certain  to  obtain  males  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  varied  plumage;  com- 
bining the  different  colours  of  the  cock-bird 
with  the  softer,  delicate  tints  of  the  hen, 
and  mingling  into  an  association  of  hues 
of  the  most  gorgeous  and  magnificent 
description.  This  brilliancy  of  colour 
occurs  less  frequently  in  the  case  of  a 


106  CANARY-BIRD. 

male  Gold-finch  and  female  Canary,  and 
the  young  raised  are  generally  plainer 
and  always  less  valuable. 

When  the  young  birds  have  left  the 
nest,  and  are  able  to  take  care  of  them- 
selves, it  is  advisable  to  place  them  in  the 
society  of  older  ones,  that  they  may  ac- 
quire the  different  changes  of  song.  For 
this  purpose  old  Canaries  are  the  most 
preferable,  and  the  trill  which  the  young 
mules  acquire  from  them,  is  an  important 
addition  to  their  wild  wood-notes.  Should 
your  young  ones  prove  to  be  cock  Linnets, 
they  should  be  removed  from  the  nest- 
cage  whenever  they  are  able  to  feed 
themselves,  and  be  placed  immediately 
under  old  Canaries.  This  course  of  edu- 
cation will  enable  them  to  sing  so  loudly 
and  well  in  six  months,  as  to  prevent  them 
from  being  distinguished  by  voice  from 
their  preceptors^  except  when  they,  as 
they  will  do  occasionally,  run  into  their 
natural  notes. 

The  most  dangerous  disease  to  which 


CANARY-BIRD.  1Q7 

the  Gold-finch  is  subject,  is  called  the 
"epilepsy,  or  falling  sickness."  The  symp- 
toms of  this  may  easily  be  discovered. 
When  the  bird  is  seized  with  the  disease, 
he  flies  around  rapidly,  beating  his  wings 
violently,  and  finally  falls  upon  his  back. 
The  mode  of  cure  is  simple  and  effectual, 
if  the  bird  be  taken  in  time.  Take  a  pair 
of  very  sharp  scissors,  and  cut  off  the  tips 
of  his  hinder  claws.  Should  he  bleed,  as 
he  probably  will,  wash  his  feet  at  once 
with  a  little  white-wine,  and  give  him  two 
or  three  drops  of  the  same  liquor  upon  a 
piece  of  loaf-sugar.  This  treatment  is 
always  successful  if  timely  resorted  to; 
but  unless  it  be  done  instantly  the  bird 
will  be  certainly  lost. 

Another  most  excellent  mule  variety  is 
produced  from  the  association  of  the  cock 
Averdivine  with  the  female  Canary.  The 
young  reared  by  this  couple  are  not  very 
beautiful,  but  on  the  reverse  rather  humble 
in  plumage;  yet  they  are  possessed  of  such 
exquisite  melody  of  voice,  as  to  fully  com- 


108  GROSBEAK. 

pensate  for  their  unpretending  appearance. 
They  are  likewise  very  familiar  and  easily 
tamed;  indeed  so  much  so,  that  they  will 
come  at  a  call,  perch  on  your  finger,  and 
give  forth  their  song  at  the  word  of  com- 
mand. 


CHAPTER  III. 

DOMINICAN  GROSBEAK. — Fringilla  cardinalis. 

The  Cardinal  Grosbeak  of  South  Ame- 
rica, as  it  is  commonly  called  in  this 
country,  though  in  Brazil  known  by  its 
proper  title,  is  a  native  of  the  whole  of 
Central  America,  and  is  as  celebrated  for 
its  richness  of  plumage,  as  it  is  for  the 
loudness  and  beauty  of  its  song. 

It  derives  its  name  from  the  similarity 
of  its  colours  to  the  dress  of  the  order  of 
Dominican  monks,  who  wear  a  scarlet 
cap,  white  frock  and  light  grey  cloak  and 


GROSBEAK.  109 

hood,  which  are  the  colours  of  this  bird  on 
the  head,  belly  and  back.  It  is  likewise 
ornamented  with  a  brilliant  crest,  which  is 
raised  and  depressed  at  pleasure.  In  the 
cage  this  bird  has  all  the  gracefulness, 
ease  and  caprice  of  habit  characterizing 
the  Mocking-bird,  with  much  of  its  imita- 
tive talent;  while  its  voice  is  equally  as 
loud  and  striking. 

Its  food  must  be  the  same  as  that  given 
to  our  Cardinal  Grosbeak;  but  it  must  be 
kept  in  a  warmer  situation  in  the  autumn 
and  winter,  as  it  is  unable  to  endure  the 
slightest  cold.  It  requires  considerable 
room  in  the  cage,  without  which  it  will 
thrive  less  than  is  desirable. 

The  price  of  this  bird  in  this  country  is 
from  ten  to  twenty  dollars;  though  it  can 
always  be  bought  in  the  markets  of  Monte 
Video  for  one  dollar.  They  generally  live 
to  about  the  age  of  twenty  years,  though 
some  have  been  known  to  exist  even  to 
that  of  twenty-five. 
10 


110 

CHAPTER  IV. 

WHIDAH-BIRD. — Fringilla  whida. 

This  singularly  plumaged  and  gracefully 
formed  bird,  is  a  native  of  the  kingdom  of 
Whidah,  in  Africa,  from  which  it  derives 
its  name.  Through  the  solemn  colour  of 
the  songster  and  its  rather  melancholy 
notes,  its  appellation  is  frequently  changed 
into  "Widow,"  by  the  ignorant  fancier, 
who  believes  it  to  be  constantly  mourning 
its  lost  mate.  This  idea  gave  birth  in  us 
to  the  slight  poem  which  accompanies  this 
description. 

To  THE  WHIDAH-BIRD. 

Bird  of  the  dark  and  glancing  wing! 

Whose  home  is  Afric's  burning  strand, 
With  solemn  accents  sorrowing, 

Why  mourn'st  thou  for  thy  native  land? 
And  why  with  cadence  sad  and  low, 
And  look,  the  heraldry  of  woe, 


WHIDAH-BIRD. 

Where  others  sit  in  merry  mood, 

Dost  thou  alone  with  drooping  plume 

And  fluttering  wing,  in  sorrow  brood, 
And  wail  so  deep  thy  settled  doom? 

Poor  widowed  thing!  I  pity  thee 

Thus  early  mate  to  misery. 

But  now  thy  sylvan  song  rings  out 

Above  the  voice  of  every  mate, 
And  floats  its  mellow  tones  about 

In  mock'ry  of  their  meaner  state; 
As  if  within  thy  downy  breast, 
That  fount  of  grief  had  sunk  to  rest. 
But  lower,  sadder  now  it  grows, 

As  though  thy  grief  no  smiles  could  cheer, 
And  solemnly  thy  cadence  flows 

With  wailing  tone  upon  mine  ear. 
And  thou  dost  mourn  as  one  would  mourn, 
Whom  grief  had  made  the  most  forlorn. 

Yet  'tis  but  seeming,  lovely  one! 

Thy  mate  is  seated  by  thy  side, 
And  what  we  deem  is  grief  alone, 

Is  but  the  strain  of  hope  and  pride. 
Like  to  the  Dove's,  thy  strains  of  bliss 
And  love  and  joy  and  happiness 
Seem  ever  sad  and  ever  low, 

When  thou  art  happiest  of  heart, 


112  WHIDAH-BIRD. 

And  farthest  from  the  pangs  of  woe, 

That  ne'er  to  life  within  thee  start. 
Still  strike  thy  song!     The  spell  is  o'er; 
What  once  seemed  grief  is  grief  no  more. 


The  habits  of  the  Whidah-finch  in  a 
wild  state,  are  similar  to  those  of  the  rest 
of  its  tribe;  though,  what  may  be  the 
character  of  its  song  in  its  native  woods, 
is  as  yet  unknown,  save  from  the  imper- 
fect descriptions  of  the  African  boors. 
Its  rich  plumage  is  its  principal  attrac- 
tion, being  of  a  deep  black,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  belly,  which  is  a  reddish- 
cream,  and  its  sides,  which  are  a  bright- 
chestnut.  Its  chief  ornament,  however,  is 
its  Bird  of  Paradise-like  tail,  which  falls  in 
a  graceful  curve.  Its  song  in  confine- 
ment is  low,  sweet  and  thrilling,  at  times 
scarcely  heard,  but  at  others  clear  and 
beautifully  distinct  from  the  notes  of  all 
other  birds. 

It  may  be  kept  upon  canary  and  other 
seed,  and  treated  when  ill  exactly  like  the 


JAVA  SPARROW.  H3 

Canary-bird;  and  must  be  well  supplied 
with  water  and  gravel,  and  kept  in  a  very 
warm  room  during  winter.  It  requires  a 
very  large  and  high  cage. 


CHAPTER  V. 

JAVA  SPARROW. — Fringilla . 

This  prettily  marked  Grosbeak,  so  com- 
mon as  a  cage-bird  in  this  country,  is  a 
native  of  the  East  Indies  and  the  Spice 
Isles,  from  whence  it  is  brought,  with 
many  others  of  the  same  species,  by  ves- 
sels in  the  China  trade. 

In  the  cage  it  is  one  of  the  most 
quarrelsome  of  birds,  and  it  frequently 
occurs,  that  when  a  half  dozen  or  more  of 
them  are  kept  together,  they  will  fight 
until  the  whole,  or  a  greater  portion  of  the 
combatants,  are  dead. 


114  JAVA  SPARROW. 

Its  plumage,  for  the  sake  of  which  only 
it  is  kept,  is  silky  and  beautiful;  but  the 
bird  is  so  well  known  that  it  need  not  be 
described.  Its  musical  powers  generally 
amount  only  to  the  repetition  of  a  single 
"chuck,"  which  is  given  whenever  the 
bird  is  in  motion;  but  we  once  possessed 
a  specimen  whose  song  had  all  the  sweet- 
ness of  tone,  but  none  of  the  variety  of  the 
English  Bull-finch. 

Their  food  should  be  "paddy"  or  rough 
rice,  which  they  shell  before  swallowing, 
or  entirely  canary-seed.  They  are  very 
fond  of  bathing,  consequently  they  should 
have  plenty  of  water;  and  they  likewise 
eat  immoderate  quantities  of  gravel. 

They  are  susceptible  of  considerable 
affection  toward  their  feeders.  When 
sick,  they  should  be  treated  like  the  Ca- 
nary-finch; than  whom  they  are  less  hardy, 
requiring  to  be  kept  in  a  warm  stove-room 
during  the  winter  season. 


115 


CHAPTER  VI. 

WHITE-HEADED  GROSBEAK. — Fringilla 
leuco-cephala. 

Another  imported  East  Indian  variety, 
of  plain,  but  neat  plumage,  living  in  its 
native  land  on  the  rice-fields  and  among 
the  thickets  which  line  the  shores  of  the 
large  rivers. 

Its  plumage  is  of  a  reddish-brown, 
excepting  the  back,  which  is  darker,  and 
the  head,  which  is  of  a  creamy-white.  Its 
bill  is  white  in  colour,  and  as  large  in 
proportion  to  its  size,  or  even  larger  than 
that  of  the  Java  Sparrow. 

Its  song  is  low  and  short,  but  harmo- 
nious. 

It  may  be  kept  in  the  cage  on  canary- 
seed  alone,  or  will  thrive  well  on  the  same 
treatment  as  the  Canary-bird.  It  is  very 
familiar. 


116 

CHAPTER  VII. 

AVERDIVINE. — Fringilla  averdivina. 

This  singularly  beautiful  and  minute 
songster,  who  is  the  smallest  of  all  our 
cage-birds,  is  occasionally  brought  to  our 
shores  in  company  with  the  two  preceding 
species,  and  is  highly  celebrated  for  its 
richness  of  plumage;  and  when  we  consi- 
der his  minuteness  of  size,  for  his  astonish- 
ing sweetness  of  song. 

His  colour  is  a  rich  crimson,  spotted 
and  mottled  with  white,  resembling  closely 
the  before-described  markings  of  the 
British  Starling.  His  form  is  graceful, 
and  his  actions  replete  with  sprightliness 
and  ease. 

In  confinement,  where  he  is  the  most 
sociable  of  birds,  and  may  be  kept  in  com- 
panionship, the  Averdivine  may  be  fed 
upon  canary  and  millet-seed,  and,  in  the 
winter  season,  partially  on  bruised  hemp. 


LINNET. 

He  must  also  have  plenty  of  water  and 
an  abundance  of  fine  gravel  to  assist  his 
digestion.  He  will  readily  breed  with 
the  Canary,  like  which  he  should  be 
treated,  and  probably  with  some  of  our 
native  birds.  He  should  be  kept  very 
warm  in  the  winter  season,  as  he  is 
extremely  delicate  and  sensible  to  cold. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

ENGLISH  GREY  OR  BROWN  LINNET. — Frin- 
gilla  linaria. 

This  small,  neatly  plurnaged,  and  in  the 
spring  season,  showy  Finch,  is  one  of  the 
most  favourite  of  cage-birds  in  his  native 
country,  and  is  equally  esteemed  in  the 
same  situation  here. 

His  colours  are  not  very  striking,  and 
the  whole  bird  presents  a  rather  dumpy 


LINNET. 

appearance.  His  back,  head  and  breast 
are  of  a  reddish-brown,  with  the  lower 
portion  of  the  belly  and  vent  of  a  ruddy 
white.  In  the  spring  season  the  plumage 
of  his  breast  softens  into  a  rich,  rosy- 
crimson,  somewhat  similar  to,  but  brighter 
than  the  hue  of  our  Purple-finch,  to  whom 
in  appearance  he  is  closely  allied,  and  his 
wings  and  tail  are  of  a  dark  and  handsome 
brown. 

In  confinement  he  is  rather  impatient, 
and  if  kept  along  with  other  birds 
very  pugnacious;  his  song  is  loud,  sweet 
and  harmonious,  but  apt,  from  his  aptness 
of  imitation,  to  be  spoiled;  since  he  will 
constantly,  when  in  hearing  of  other  song- 
sters, take  up  and  whistle  their  notes  in 
preference  to  his  own.  The  Linnet,  there- 
fore, had  better  be  kept  apart  from  society, 
as  one  of  his  sweet  wild-wood  strains  is 
far  more  pleasing,  from  its  distinctness  and 
beauty,  than  the  every-day  song  heard 
from  the  throats  of  a  dozen  Canaries. 

He  should  be  fed  and  treated  like  the 


GREEN-FINCH.  119 

American  Purple-finch;  allowing  him  plenty 
of  gravel  and  a  sufficiency  of  water,  both 
in  a  fount  for  drinking  and  a  pan  for 
bathing. 

His   price  varies  from  three  to  eight 
dollars. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

ENGLISH  GREEN-FINCH,  OR  GREEN  LINNET. 
— Fringilla  Moris. 

This  large  and  handsome  Finch,  occa- 
sionally seen  as  a  cage-bird  in  the  com- 
mercial towns  of  the  United  States,  is 
another  of  the  natives  of  Europe  and  the 
British  isles.  It  is  here  frequently  called, 
in  contradistinction  to  our  own  and  the 
English  Grey  or  Brown  Linnet,  [F.  Una- 
na,]  the  Green  Linnet,  though  from  what 
reason  we  are  at  a  loss  to  discover. 


120  GREEN-FINCH. 

The  colour  of  this  Finch,  as  may  be 
gathered  from  its  name,  is  green,  but  of 
that  peculiar  character  called  "Sap"  by 
artists,  which  is  brighter  on  the  throat, 
breast  and  belly  than  it  is  on  the  back, 
where  it  runs  into  a  dusky  hue;  while  the 
primary  and  secondary  feathers  of  the 
wings  and  the  tail  are  of  a  dusky  brown. 

Its  food,  in  a  wild  state,  is  composed 
principally  of  the  different  kinds  of  grass- 
seed  and  insects,  which  may  be  given  to 
it  in  confinement;  but  it  may  readily  be 
kept  in  the  cage  on  the  same  food  as  the 
Canary,  and  is  subject  to  a  like  treatment 
with  that  bird  when  diseased. 

Of  all  the  imported  European  birds,  this 
is  the  least  celebrated  for  powers  of  song. 
It  is  nevertheless  a  desirable  variety,  on 
account  of  its  distinct  plumage  and  its 
familiarity  of  character. 


121 


CHAPTER  X. 

ENGLISH  GOLD-FINCH. — Fringilla  carduelis. 

This  beautifully  plumaged,  sprightly 
and  delicate  song-bird,  of  whom  so  much 
has  already  been  said  in  our  former  chap- 
ter, devoted  to  the  instructions  concerning 
the  rearing  mule  songsters,  is  a  native  of 
Europe,  and  strongly  analogous  in  man- 
ners and  habits  to  the  Thistle-bird,  or  true 
Gold-finch  of  this  country. 

Of  his  mode  of  treatment  in  the  cage 
we  have  already  spoken,  and  of  the 
advantages  arising  from  keeping  him  in  a 
cultivated  state;  but  as  a  single  bird  kept 
for  the  purpose  of  song  only,  he  is  not  a 
whit  inferior  to  the  Canary. 

His  musical  powers,  however,  are  the 
most  striking,  and  exhibited  with  the  most 
effect,  from  the  commencement  of  March 
to  the  middle  of  July,  during  which  time 
they  continue  from  sunrise  to  sunset. 
11 


122  GOLD-FINCH. 

The  Gold-finch  is  nearly  always  to  be 
obtained  at  the  shops  of  our  different 
fanciers,  where  it  commands  prices  vary- 
ing, on  account  of  quality,  from  five  to  ten 
dollars  each. 


PART  II. 

LARKS. — Alaudse. 

CHAPTER  I. 

ENGLISH  SKY-LARK. — Alauda  arvensis. 

The  Sky-lark,  though  one  of  the  plainest 
birds  in  plumage,  is  at  once  the  theme  of 
the  poet  and  the  delight  of  the  villager 
and  farmer.  He  is  a  native  of  the  broad 
fields  of  "Old  England;"  and  never  was  a 
bird  more  esteemed,  or  more  deservedly, 
for  the  sweet  character  of  his  song.  Yet, 
although  thus  delightful  in  the  cage,  a 
portion  of  the  charm  is  lost  for  want  of 
association.  To  enjoy  his  silver  strain, 
one  should  stand  at  early  dawn  and  see 
the  Lark  rising  almost  perpendicularly  in 
the  air  from  out  the  tufts  of  grass,  beneath 
the  shelter  of  which  his  mate  and  nest  is 


124  SKY-LARK. 

concealed,  his  downy  bosom  swelling  with 
melody,  which  is  poured  forth  in  warble 
after  warble,  the  songster  gradually  be- 
coming less  and  less  to  the  sight,  until  he 
is  finally  lost  in  the  wide  expanse  of  azure 
which  bends  dreamily  o'er  the  horizon. 
Then,  his  soothing  notes  seem  to  float 
over  the  scene  like  an  elfin  song,  and  then, 
and  then  only  can  their  sweetness  be  fully 
appreciated.  A  somewhat  similar  species, 
the  Shore-lark,  (Alauda  alpestris,)  inhabits 
this  country,  which  bird  strongly  resembles 
in  character  and  song  the  preceding  song- 
ster, to  whom  we  append  an  effusion  from 
our  own  pen. 

To  THE  AMERICAN  SKY-LARK. 

Far,  far  away 

With  the  blue  heavens  around  thee,  in  the  light 
The  red  sun  sheds  upon  thy  plumage  gray, 
Thou  tak'st  thy  flight. 

And  like  a  strain 

Of  music  poured  from  lips  of  seraphim, 
Thy  song  drops  down  upon  the  smiling  plain, 
A  gentle  hymn, 


SKY-LARK.  125 

To  where  thy  mate, 

Amid  the  springing  spears  of  em'rald  grass, 
Sits  on  her  nest;  whilst  thou  with  heart  elate 

Doth  upward  pass, 

And  wait  the  hour 
When,  with  her  young  and  thee,  she'll  seek 

again, 

With  swelling  soul  and  wing  of  freshen'd  power, 

Yon  azure  plain. 

Sweet  bird,  farewell ! 

Thine  is  the  flight  of  genius,  which  awhile 
Doth  Lark-like   mount  beneath  Fame's   sunny 
spell 

And  fortune's  smile. 

But  soon  the  storm ! 

Then    with   the   swiftness  of  thy  downward 

flight, 
It  passes  from  the  vision,  and  its  charm 

Is  lost  in  night. 

To  proceed.  In  confinement,  a  piece 
of  elevated  green-sod  should  always  be 
kept  in  his  cage,  to  afford  him  a  stand- 
ing place  when  singing,  as  he  never 
perches  like  other  birds.  The  bottom 


126  WOOD-LARK. 

should  always  be  well  gravelled,  and  kept 
as  clean  as  possible.  His  food  consists 
entirely  of  seeds;  but  the  leaves  of  salad, 
or  other  greens,  may  be  occasionally  given 
to  him,  and  likewise  a  little  hard-boiled 

egg- 

The  Sky-lark  has  never  been  known  to 
breed  in  confinement. 

Sky-larks  are  only  occasionally  to  be 
obtained  in  this  country,  and  then  most 
frequently  at  the  bird-fanciers,  who  pur- 
chase them  from  the  mates  of  European 
trading  vessels.  Their  prices  vary  from 
five  to  ten,  and  sometimes  even  as  high  as 
fifteen  dollars  each.  They  live  to  a  con- 
siderable age. 


CHAPTER  II. 

ENGLISH  WOOD-LARK. — Alauda  arborea. 

This  neatly  and  prettily  plumaged  bird, 
so   closely  related  to  the   Sky-lark,  and 


WOOD-LARK.  127 

somewhat  resembling  him  in  manners  and 
song,  is  frequently  found  as  a  cage-bird  in 
the  towns  of  Europe,  but  only  occasionally 
in  America. 

His  song  is  not  so  fine  as  the  preceding 
species',  but  is  given  more  frequently,  and 
is  of  a  lower  and  more  monotonous  tone. 

In  a  wild  state  he  resides  in  the  low 
wide-spread  woods,  or  in  the  fields  which 
lie  adjacent,  where  he  sits  and  sings,  or 
soars  like  his  before-mentioned  relative, 
whistling  as  he  rises  to  the  top  of  some 
tall  tree,  from  whence  his  lay  is  given  the 
greater  portion  of  the  day.  He  is  most 
frequently  taken  in  nets  by  bird-catchers, 
or  raised  from  the  nest  by  them,  and  then 
brought  to  the  bird-fanciers,  who  expose 
him  for  sale. 

His  treatment  is  exactly  similar  to  that 
of  the  preceding  species;  but  he  may  have 
perches  upon  which  to  sit  when  singing. 


PART  III. 

BULL-FINCHES. — Pyrrhulss. 

CHAPTER  I. 

BULL-FINCH. — PyrrJiula  vulgaris. 

THE  Bull-finch,  so  well  known  by  name 
as  a  choice  and  delicious  songster,  and  so 
greatly  celebrated  for  its  constant  beauty 
of  plumage,  is  another  of  the  many  varie- 
ties imported  from  Europe,  to  delight  the 
eyes  and  ears  of  our  countrymen. 

In  the  countries  he  inhabits  he  is  by  far 
more  commonly  seen  in  the  cage  than  in 
his  native  woods  and  fields,  which  probably 
arises  from  the  great  demand  for  him  as 
a  song-bird,  and  his  rather  wild  and  shy 
habits.  There,  he  is  towards  his  kind  a 
social  and  friendly  bird,  and  becomes  so 


BULL-FINCH.  129 

much  attached  to  his  mate,  that  their 
connection  endures  for  the  life  of  the 
parties.  In  the  cage,  he,  however,  be- 
comes wonderfully  docile  if  reared  from 
the  nest;  will  breed  in  confinement;  may 
easily  be  taught  to  articulate  words;  while 
his  musical  powers  and  imitative  talents 
are  turned  to  the  highest  account  by  the 
bird-fancier.  He  whistles  tunes  of  consi- 
derable length  and  variation,  with  all  the 
accuracy  of  an  accomplished  musician, 
and  in  so  surprising  and  so  sweet  a  man- 
ner, as  to  transcend  the  strength  of  the 
most  high-flown  description.  In  fact,  in 
this  branch  of  acquirement,  he  is  entirely 
unrivalled;  for  no  musical  instrument  pos- 
sesses a  thousandth  part  of  the  depth  and 
entrancing  harmony  of  his  clear  and  deli- 
cious voice.  He  has  likewise  been  taught 
to  sing  duets  in  company  with  other 
birds  of  his  kind,  taking  up  his  part, 
finishing  it,  waiting  for  the  response  of 
his  companion,  and  then  again  proceeding 
until  the  entertainment  is  finished. 


130  BULL-FINCH. 

When  singing  one  tune,  he  will  come 
forth  from  his  cage  at  the  word  of  com- 
mand, perch  upon  the  finger  of  his  owner, 
and  on  being  bid  will  pour  forth  his  en- 
chanting strains  without  exhibiting  the 
slightest  fear,  even  should  a  stranger  be 
present  in  the  room.  Birds  thus  educated 
bring  with  ease  wonderful  prices,  and  are 
rarely  sold  for  less  than  eighty  dollars; 
frequently  commanding  as  high  as  one 
hundred  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
each. 

His  colours  are — back  of  a  soft  ash-grey, 
with  the  breast  and  belly  of  a  soft  crim- 
son-red, and  his  wings  and  tail  of  a  deep 
glossy  black.  His  head  is  likewise  orna- 
mented on  the  crown  with  a  patch  of  the 
same  raven  hue. 

In  confinement  he  should  receive  seeds 
of  all  the  different  kinds,  except  hemp, 
which  should  only  be  given  sparingly,  and 
when  so,  only  in  the  winter,  or  during  the 
moulting  season,  which  occurs  at  the 
same  time  with  him  as  with  the  Canary. 


BULL-FINCH. 

The  same  directions  for  this  time  of  life, 
and  for  other  sicknesses  applicable  to  that 
bird  will  fully  suffice  for  the  Bull-finch. 
He  will  likewise,  by  observing  the  rules 
laid  down  in  a  previous  section,  breed 
with  the  Canary-bird. 


DIVISION  II. 

NATIVE  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

TANAGERS. — Tanagrse. 

CHAPTER  I. 

SCARLET  TANAGER,  OR  BLACK-WINGED  SUM- 
MER RED-BIRD. — Tanagra  rubra. 

The  Scarlet  Tanager,  one  of  the  most 
beautiful,  if  not  entirely  so,  of  our  native 
birds,  arrives  in  the  Middle  States  during 
the  time  intervening  between  the  first 
and  the  twentieth  of  May.  While  his 
residence  continues,  which  is  only  during 
summer,  he  is  principally  found  in  the 
thick  forests,  but  also  on  the  edges  of  large 


SCARLET  TANAGER.  133 

orchards,  and  frequently  on  the  skirts  of 
ploughed  fields,  which  he  visits  in  search 
of  his  insect  food;  at  that  season  his  only 
sustenance.  Nothing  could  be  imagined 
more  lovely  or  exquisite  than  the  glittering 
scarlet  and  ebony  plumage  of  this  bird, 
as  he  darts  along  either  in  frolic  play,  or 
in  pursuit  of  winged  insects  of  various 
kinds,  like  a  winged  meteor,  through  the 
green  and  interwoven  branches  of  the 
budding  trees. 

Shortly  after  their  arrival,  the  Tanagers 
commence  pairing,  and  by  the  first  of 
June,  incubation  has  commenced.  At  this 
time  the  young  birds  can  easily  be  obtain- 
ed, and  may  readily  be  reared  on  scald- 
ed Indian-meal,  soaked  bread,  raw  beef 
(dipped,  in  milk)  and  hard-boiled  egg. 
The  two  latter  articles  chopped  very  fine. 

When  the  young  have  attained  their 
full  size,  they  may  be  treated  as  regards 
food  exactly  like  the  Canary.  They 
should  also  receive  from  time  to  time  the 
ripe  berries  of  the  different  seasons,  with 
12 


134  SCARLET  TANAGER. 

cherries  and  such  insects  as  can  be  ob- 
tained. In  the  winter,  dried  cherries,  figs, 
raisins  and  currants  would  form  an  im- 
portant addition  to  their  diet. 

The  young  are  at  first  of  a  greenish- 
olive  hue,  which  on  the  wings  and  tail 
approaches  to  a  dusky-brown  colour;  but 
acquire  their  rich  scarlet  livery  the  en- 
suing spring,  moulting  into  the  olivaceous 
tint  in  the  fall,  and  regaining  the  brighter 
plumage,  which  becomes  deeper  and  deeper 
every  succeeding  spring,  the  following 
season. 

Their  song,  which  is  delivered  for  hours 
together,  is  a  sweet,  mellow  and  harmo- 
nious ditty  of  considerable  strength  and 
power.  It  resembles  very  closely  the  clear 
fife-like  notes  of  the  Golden  Robin,  or  Bal- 
timore Oriole,  passes  into  the  soft  delightful 
tones  of  the  flute,  and  is  at  the  same  time 
remarkable  for  its  rich  variety  of  cadence. 

They  should  be  kept  in  a  warm  stove- 
room  during  winter,  as  they  are  extremely 
susceptible  of  cold. 


PART  II. 

FINCHE  s . — Fringillss. 

CHAPTER  I. 

INDIGO-BIRD,  OR   BLUE   ^INNET. — Fringilla 
cyanea. 

THE  Linnet,  as  it  is  most  commonly 
styled  in  this  section  of  country,  is  another 
one  of  our  beautiful  summer  residents, 
and  is  well  known  for  its  familiarity 
and  excellent  song.  This  is  lively,  unique 
and  interesting;  given  not  only  at  early 
dawn,  but  during  the  intense  heat  of  the 
summer  mid-day;  and  again  is  frequently 
heard  during  the  greater  part  of  the  night, 
more  especially  if  it  be  moon-light.  Its 
notes  resemble  those  of  the  Canary,  and 
though  less  powerful  than  that  bird's, 
possess  more  sweetness. 


136  INDIGO-BIRD. 

In  the  cage  it  may  be  kept  on  precisely 
the  same  food,  and  treated  exactly  like 
the  adult  birds  of  that  species.  During 
the  spring  they  may,  however,  be  given 
insects,  though  chopped  hard-boiled  egg 
will  answer  equally  as  well.  They  are 
especially  fond  of  the  leaves  of  the  com- 
mon garden  beet,  (Beta  vulgaris,)  on  which 
I  have  frequently  seen  them  feeding,  in 
company  with  thS  Yellow-bird,  (F.  tristis.) 

The  colour  of  the  male  Indigo-bird  is  a 
brilliant  verditer  azure,  deepening  on  the 
head  and  neck  into  a  rich  dark  blue.  The 
plumage  of  the  female  is  a  dingy  yellow 
and  olive-brown  colour. 

On  one  occasion,  on  a  moonlight  night 
in  June,  while  seated  at  the  door  of  a 
friend's  country  residence,  enjoying  at  the 
same  time  the  cool  breeze  and  the  delight 
of  a  "Davenport  Regalia"  cigar,  I  was 
particularly  struck  with  the  song  of  one 
of  these  birds,  who  sat  on  the  highest  one 
of  an  adjacent  clump  of  trees.  At  the 
moment  I  penned  the  following  effusion, 


INDIGO-BIRD.  137 

which  may  give  some  idea  of  the  sweet- 
ness of  his  strain  in  the  lonely  hours  of 
night. 

To  THE  INDIGO  FINCH. 

'Tis  the  deep  silence  of  a  summer  night, 
A  night  in  June.     How  solemn  seems  the  scene. 
The  wood  is  hushed  in  slumber,  while  the  trees 
'Tween  whose  shut  leaves  the  night  wind  playful 

steals, 

Kissing  them  into  music,  sadly  breathe 
A  mournful  requiem  o'er  the  vanished  day. 
The  brook,  that  through  the  meadow  gleaming 

creeps 

And  'neath  the  wood,  low  ripples  twixt  the  moss 
Which  interwoven  lines  its  shelving  sides, 
Or  pattering  o'er  the  pebbles  in  its  bed, 
Hath  changed  its  cadence  to  a  lower  tone, 
More  fitting  to  the  hour. 

The  flowers  have  closed  their  petals  and  bowed 

down 
Their  bells   in    slumber — And  the  wide-spread 

fields 
Lay  like  a  burial  place  of  by-gone  dead. 

Hark !  some  sweet  strain, 
In  mellow  cadence,  on  the  ear  of  night 
12* 


138  INDIGO-BIRD. 

Falls  like  a  lullaby.     Whence  comes  the  song, 
And  what  doth  give  it  life? 

Again  'tis  here ! 

Some  elfin  lover  tunes  his  golden  lute, 
And,  'neath  the  beamings  of  the  love-sick  moon, 
Soft  woos  his  fav'rite  fay. 

More  loud  it  swells, 

While  echo,  wakened  from  her  dreamless  sleep, 
Flings  back  in  ecstacy  the  silvery  lay; — 
'Tis  past  and  all  is  still. 

Oh !  once  again 

Delight  with  me  thy  strain,  which,  like  the  lutes 
Swept  by  the  fingers  of  the  heedless  wind, 
Gives  forth  strange  music.     Vain  I  gaze  around, 
Yet  naught  I  see !     But  now  from  yon  tall  beech, 
Whose  coronal  of  leaves  is  high  in  air, 
Flitting  betwixt  me  and  the  azure  sky, 
A  form  fast  flies.     Ah !  sylvan  one !  'twas  thou 
Who  charmed  me  all  unknowing. 

He  has  gone 

To  his  lone  mate,  and  by  her  gentle  side 
Now  rests  in  slumber. 

Peace  be  with  thee,  bird ! 

The  Indigo-bird  should  be  kept  in   a 
heated  room  during  the  winter;  it  being 


PAINTED  BUNTING.  139 

so  tender,  that  it  is  unable  to  endure  the 
slightest  cold. 


CHAPTER  II. 

PAINTED  BUNTING,  OR  NONPAREIL. — Frin- 
gilla  ciris. 

This  brilliant  and  beautiful  bird  is  a 
native  of  the  southern  portion  of  the 
United  States,  never  visiting  further  north 
than  the  Carolinas.  He  is  usually  styled 
by  the  French  residents  of  Lousiana,  the 
"Pape;"  and  by  the  rest  of  our  country- 
men, the  Nonpareil,  no  other  word  convey- 
ing a  description  of  his  exquisite  beauty. 

His  song,  though  not  so  loud  as  the 
Indigo-bird's,  and  more  concise,  still  runs 
into  a  delightful  warble,  which  is  continued 
all  summer.  He  is  extremely  docile,  will 
readily  breed  in  confinement,  and  would 


140  PAINTED  BUNTING. 

certainly  produqe,  if  mated  with  a  dark- 
yellow  hen  Canary,  mules  of  singular 
beauty. 

The  male  is  of  a  vermilion-red,  with 
the  head  and  back  of  the  neck  of  a  rich 
blue,  the  back  of  a  golden-green,  wings  of 
a  clouded-red,  and  the  tail  greenish,  ap- 
proaching to  brown.  The  female  slightly 
resembles  the  hen  Indigo;  but  contains 
more  yellow  in  her  plumage. 

The  Nonpareil  may  be  kept  in  confine- 
ment on  precisely  the  same  food  as  the 
Canary,  with  the  exception  of  a  little 
unhulled  or  rough  rice,  of  which  he  is 
very  fond,  and  which  should  be  soaked 
twelve  hours  before  he  receives  it. 

He  is  extremely  sensitive,  riot  being 
able  to  endure  the  slightest  cold.  These 
birds  may  be  occasionally  obtained  at  the 
various  fanciers. 


141 

CHAPTER  III. 

SONG  SPARROW. — Fringillafasciata. 

This  humble  looking  and  sociable  Finch, 
more  familiarly  known  by  the  appella- 
tion of  "Tom-tit,"  is  an  inhabitant  of  the 
whole  continent  of  North  America,  and 
is  one  of  the  hardiest  and  most  interest- 
ing of  his  tribe. 

His  colour,  though  plain  and  monoto- 
nous, being  of  a  chestnut  and  greyish- 
brown,  is  neat  and  handsome;  and  his 
form,  about  the  size  of  the  Canary,  taper 
and  graceful. 

His  musical  talents,  however,  are  great, 
and  amply  recompense  for  his  want  of 
beauty  by  their  sweetness  of  sound  and 
long  continuance,  being  given  without  any 
intermission  through  the  whole  of  the 
year.  His  lay  resembles,  in  cadence  and 
delivery,  the  sweetest  passages  of  that  of 
the  Canary;  but  is  possessed  of  a  depth  of 


142  SONG  SPARROW. 

warbling  melody  even  surpassing  that  de- 
lightful songster;  while  his  sprightliness  in 
the  cage  is  also  of  a  more  lively  cast. 
His  song  early  in  the  spring,  is  very 
vigorous  and  loud,  continued  from  day- 
break until  even  after  dark  in  the  evening; 
but  in  the  fall  it  becomes,  as  if  the  bird 
sympathizing  with  the  solemnity  of  the 
scene  around  him,  of  a  softer,  more  touch- 
ing, and  although  of  a  lower,  by  far  to 
me  of  a  more  delicious  and  entrancing 
character. 

In  confinement  he  may  be  treated  in 
every  respect  like  the  Canary-finch,  to 
whom  he  possesses  a  great  affinity;  occa- 
sionally giving  him  any  or  all  of  the  dif- 
ferent kinds  of  grass-seed  to  be  had  in 
the  different  s  Bed-warehouses,  on  which, 
in  a  state  of  nature,  he  almost  entirely 
depends  for  sustenance. 

The  Song  Sparrow  would  likewise  be  an 
important  bird  for  the  fancier  to  rear  with 
the  Canary,  to  produce  fine  mules,  which 
may  readily  be  done  by  observing  the 


SONG  SPARROW.  143 

rules  laid  down  in  section  twelfth  of  the 
division  on  the  Canary-bird. 

The  following  beautifully  descriptive 
lines  on  this  sweet  songster,  are  from  the 
pen  of  an  excellent  poet,  who,  though 
scarcely  known  in  that  capacity  by  the 
mass,  still  possesses  much  of  the  fire  of  a 
true  son  of  Parnassus. 

To  THE  SONG  SPARROW. 

BY  HENRY  PICKERING. 

Joy  fills  the  vale, 

With  joy  ecstatic  quivers  every  wing, 
As  floats  thy  note  upon  the  genial  gale, 

Sweet  bird  of  spring! 

The  violet 

Awakens  at  thy  song,  and  peers  from  out 
Its  fragrant  nook,  as  if  the  season  yet 

Remained  in  doubt 

While  from  the  rock, 
The  columbine  its  crimson  bell  suspends, 
That  careless  vibrates,  as  its  slender  stalk 

The  zephyr  bends. 


144  SONG  SPARROW. 

Say!  when  the  blast 

Of  winter  swept  our  whitened  plains,  what  clime, 
What  summer  clime  thou  charm'dst, — and  how 
was  past 

Thy  joyous  time  ? 

0,  well  I  know 

Why  thou  art  here  thus  soon,  and  why  the  bowers 
So  near  the  sun  have  lesser  charms  than  now 

Our  land  of  flowers. 

Thou  art  returned 

On  a  glad  errand, — to  rebuild  thy  nest, 
And  fan  anew  the  gentle  fire  that  burned 

Within  thy  breast. 

And  thy  wild  strain 

Poured  on  the  gale,  is  love's  transporting  voice — 
That,  calling  on  the  plumy  choir  again 

Bid  them  rejoice. 

Nor  calls  alone 

To  enjoy,  but  bids  improve  the  fleeting  hour — 
Bids  all  that  ever  heard  love's  witching  tone 

Or  felt  his  power. 

The  poet,  too, 

It  soft  invokes  to  touch  the  trembling  wire; 
Yet,  ah,  how  few  its  sounds  shall  list,  how  few 

His  songs  admire! 


YELLOW-BIRD.  145 

But  thy  sweet  lay, 

Thou  darling  of  the  spring!  no  ear  disdains; 
Thy  sage  instructress,  Nature,  says,  "Be  gay!" 

And  prompts  thy  strains. 

0,  if  I  knew 

Like  thee  to  sing,  like  thee  the  heart  to  fire, — 
Young  should  enchanted  throng,  and  beauty  sue 

To  hear  my  lyre. 

Oft  as  the  year 

In  gloom  is  wrapp'd,  thy  exile  I  shall  mourn, — 
Oft  as  the  spring  returns  shall  hail  sincere 

Thy  glad  return. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

YELLOW-BIRD,  OR  AMERICAN  GOLD-FINCH. — 
Fringilla  tristis. 

The  Thistle,  or  Lettuce-bird,  as  he  is 
sometimes    called,   is    one    of   our   most 
cheerful  and  light-hearted  songsters.    Joy- 
13 


146  YELLOW-BIRD. 

ous  amidst  the  intense  severity  of  the 
winter,  and  equally  gay  beneath  the  scorch- 
ing suns  of  our  almost  tropical  summer, 
he  flits  from  field  to  field,  and  wood  to 
wood,  in  company  with  his  merry  com- 
panions, a  lovely  emblem  of  intense  happi- 
ness! When  on  the  wing,  like  the  far, 
faint  and  finely-drawn  cadence  of  an 
JEolian  harp,  his  notes  of  conversation 
are  constantly  heard,  and  while  sitting  on 
some  lowly  thistle  or  devoted  lettuce  stalk, 
he  talks  with  a  low,  sweet,  liquid  voice  to 
his  more  humble  and  less  noticed  mate. 

In  the  cage,  for  which  he  is  readily 
caught  by  means  of  trap-cages,  he  soon 
becomes  as  familiar  as  the  Canary  or 
English  Goldfinch,  and  in  that  situation 
his  musical  notes  certainly  rival,  arid  are 
scarcely  surpassed  by  the  sonorous  whistle 
and  trill  of  the  former  bird.  His  song  is 
at  times  gradually  elevated,  and  then 
softened  in  the  most  exquisite  manner, 
bursting  in  one  instant  into  overpowering 
melody,  in  the  next  dying  away  in  a 


YELLOW-BIRD.  147 

fairy-like  strain,  which  seems  as  if  lost 
in  the  distance;  then  reviving,  it  again 
bursts  forth  with  redoubled  strength  and 
energy,  and  strikes  at  once  into  the 
loudest  fife  of  the  before-mentioned  song- 
ster. 

In  confinement,  his  cage  should  be  hung 
outside  of  the  window  every  sunny  day, 
as  sun-light  and  fresh  air  are  necessary 
to  the  health  and  well  being  of  this  active 
little  bird.  He  should  likewise  be  well 
supplied  with  gravel,  and  a  saucer  of  water 
kept  constantly  in  his  cage,  as  he  is  espe- 
cially fond  of  bathing. 

The  Yellow-bird  is  much  attached  to 
rich  and  oily  seeds,  and  should  be  reared 
upon  yellow,  canary,  millet  and  hemp, 
with  occasionally  a  little  sun-flower  and 
lettuce-seed,  which  are  always  an  excellent 
addition  to  their  fare.  He  is  likewise 
very  fond  of  the  leaves  of  the  garden- 
beet,  lettuces  and  cabbages,  together  with 
chick-weed,  which  can  be  obtained  at  all 


148  YELLOW-BIRD. 

seasons,  and  also  of  ripe  fruits,  such  as 
apples  and  pears. 

He  will  readily,  by  observing  the  rules 
before  laid  down,  breed  in  confinement, 
and  would  produce,  if  associated  with  the 
Canary-finch,  mules  of  the  most  valuable 
character,  both  as  regards  plumage  and 
song. 

The  male  Gold-finch  is  of  a  brilliant 
lemon-yellow,  with  the  crown  of  the  head 
and  the  wings  and  tail  of  a  glossy  raven 
black;  the  two  latter  partially  edged  with 
white. 

These  birds  may  readily  be  obtained  in 
the  markets  in  the  spring,  where  they  are 
brought  in  trap-cages,  and  sell  as  low  as 
twenty-five  cents  per  pair. 


PART  III. 

CARDINAL-BIRDS. — Cardinalis. 

CHAPTER  I. 

CARDINAL  GROSBEAK,  OR  RED-BIRD. — Car- 
dinalis Virginiamts. 

THIS  truly  magnificent  songster,  whose 
loud  and  martial  song  and  brilliant  beauty 
of  plumage  alike  attract  our  admiration,  is 
a  native  of  this  continent,  and  is  found  in 
its  favourite  localities  in  all  parts  of  the 
country,  from  New  York  to  Florida.  His 
chief  haunts  are  in  low  watery  thickets,  or 
amid  the  swampy  woods  that  margin  the 
waters  of  our  rivers  and  small  inland 
streams,  among  which  he  builds  his  nest. 
They  are  never  found  in  any  situation  in 
considerable  numbers,  but  at  most  in 
13* 


150  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 

small  families  of  five  to  seven,  consisting 
of  the  young  birds  of  the  preceding  spring 
and  their  parents.  In  the  breeding  season, 
like  all  others  of  the  Finch  tribe,  they  are 
perfectly  solitary. 

The  Virginian  Nightingale,  as  he  is 
styled  in  England  and  in  some  parts  of  the 
Southern  States,  is  nearly  the  size  of  the 
Robin,  and  of  a  brilliant  scarlet,  which  is 
much  brighter  upon  its  breast  and  belly. 
His  head  is  ornamented  with  a  lofty  crest, 
which  is  raised  or  depressed  at  pleasure, 
while  his  bill,  which  is  large  and  powerful, 
is  a  soft  and  beautiful  coral-red.  The 
only  colour  on  his  person  differing  from 
the  rest,  and  which  is  thrown  into  strong 
relief  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  other  plum- 
age, is  a  circle  of  deep  black  passing 
completely  round  his  head  at  the  base  of 
the  bill.  His  eye  is  very  expressive  and 
of  a  dark  hazel,  while  his  form  is  perfect 
and  graceful  to  a  degree. 

The  song  of  the  Cardinal,  which  even 
in  confinement  is  continued  for  six  or  eight 


CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 

months  in  the  year,  is  no  less  striking  than 
his  plumage,  being  composed  of  a  clear, 
loud  and  mellow  whistle,  varying  in  ca- 
dence, and  given  without  intermission  for 
a  considerable  length  of  time,  and  closely 
resembling  the  tones  of  the  human  voice. 
This,  though  the  delivery  is  original  and 
striking,  is  composed  partially  of  the  notes 
of  other  birds,  which  are  remodelled  in  so 
exquisite  a  manner,  and  so  beautifully 
executed,  that  it  seems  almost  impossible 
to  determine  to  whom  they  originally 
belonged.  The  lay  of  the  Red-bird  is, 
however,  possessed  of  a  greater  charm — a 
rare  and  delicate  pathos,  enlivened  by  the 
most  brilliant  and  soothing  touches  known 
to  the  feathered  tribe.  This  change  seems 
the  more  astonishing,  when  we  reflect  that 
his  voice  may  be  heard  on  a  clear  morn- 
ing, with  the  greatest  ease,  at  the  distance 
of  a  mile. 

In  confinement,  for  which  he  is  taken 
by  means  of  trap-cages,  the  Cardinal 
Grosbeak  possesses  all  the  sociability  and 


152  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 

gentleness  of  his  race,  becoming  in  a 
short  time  as  tame  as  a  domesticated 
Canary.  Here  he  is  highly  esteemed  and 
ranks  next  to  the  Mocking-bird,  than  whom 
he  is  far  more  beautiful,  for  power  of  song, 
In  retaining  him  in  a  cage,  he  should 
be  kept  apart  from  the  society  of  Cana- 
ries, as  they,  struck  with  the  character  of 
his  notes,  entirely  lose  their  own  in  the 
desire  of  imitation.  The  Red-bird  is  very 
hardy,  and  may  be  kept  in  a  room  with- 
out fire  all  winter,  without  the  slightest 
danger.  He  should  be  hung  out,  and 
indulged  with  sun  and  air  on  all  possible 
occasions  during  winter,  and  in  the  sum- 
mer season,  with  the  exception  of  stormy 
weather,  remain  permanently  in  the  open 
air. 

They  will  breed  in  confinement  if  treat- 
ed like  the  Canary;  but  require  a  very 
large  cage,  or  a  small  room,  where  they 
must  be  very  seldom  disturbed  during  the 
day,  observing  to  supply  them  with  food 
and  water  after  their  retiring  to  rest. 


CARDINAL  GROSBEAK.  153 

This  is,  however,  unnecessary  trouble,  as 
they  may  be  readily  obtained  in  our 
principal  markets  during  winter,  where 
they  are  constantly  exposed  for  sale,  at 
the  low  price  of  one  to  two  dollars  each. 

Their  diseases,  which  are  similar  to  the 
Canary,  though  they  are  seldom  taken 
sick,  may  be  treated  in  the  same  manner. 
They  live  to  a  great  age;  a  specimen 
being  preserved  in  the  Philadelphia  Mu- 
seum collection  which  was  kept  by  a 
member  of  the  Peale  family  for  twenty- 
one  years,  and  which  was  probably  three 
or  four  years  old  when  first  obtained. 

They  should  be  fed  on  Canary-seed, 
rough  or  unhulled  rice,  in  which  they 
delight,  millet-seed,  diversified  at  times 
with  a  little  finely  cracked  corn,  buck- 
wheat and  wheat;  and  occasionally,  during 
the  severity  of  winter,  with  a  little  hemp- 
seed.  In  the  use  of  the  latter,  especially 
in  the  autumn  months,  great  care  should 
be  taken;  as  the  Red-bird  has  a  tendency 
to  become  very  gross,  and  will  oftentimes 


154  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 

die  from  an  accumulation  of  fat  round  the 
wind-pipe.  When  he  is  thus  affected,  it 
may  be  perceived  by  his  uttering  at  inter- 
vals a  wheezing  sound.  He  should  then 
have  plenty  of  coarse  brown  gravel,  which 
should  indeed  at  all  times  be  kept  in  his 
cage,  and  fed  for  a  few  days  entirely  upon 
rape-seed,  and  after  a  week  or  so,  upon 
"rough  rice"  and  corn.  This  will  effect  a 
cure.  A  large  pan  of  water  should  be 
constantly  kept  in  the  cage,  which  last 
should  be  large  and  roomy,  to  allow  him 
to  bathe  frequently;  an  amusement  for 
which  he  has  a  great  predilection. 


PART  IV. 

GROSBEAKS. — Coccothraustes. 

CHAPTER  I. 

ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK. — Coccothraustes 
ludovicianus. 

THIS  very  rare  and  exquisitely  plum- 
aged  bird,  is  another  of  the  many  beauti- 
ful inhabitants  of  the  western  continent, 
and  is  equally  celebrated  for  the  sweet- 
ness of  his  warbling,  his  rareness,  and  the 
singular  variegation  of  his  plumage.  He 
is  like  the  Tanager,  (Tanagra  rubra,)  a 
summer  visitant,  and  one  that  is  little 
known  except  to  enterprising  and  perse- 
vering naturalists. 

His  size  is  nearly  that  of  the  Robin, 
and  his  general  character  black,  with  the 
wings  and  outer  tail  feathers  beautifully 


156        ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK. 

margined  with  white.  His  breast  is  of  a 
brilliant  rose-carmine  colour,  which  passes 
in  the  shape  of  a  cone  nearly  down  to  the 
vent;  and  the  entirety  of  the  inner  wing- 
coverts  is  of  a  beautiful  bright  rose.  The 
bill  is  of  a  soft  flesh-white.  The  female 
is  of  a  dusky  colour;  but,  as  she  is  worth- 
less for  song,  need  not  be  fully  described. 

His  song,  which  is  continued  in  clear 
weather  during  the  whole  of  the  day,  is 
melodious  and  brilliant  beyond  descrip- 
tion, and  is  given  in  a  warbling  manner, 
now  loud,  clear  and  distinct,  then  falling 
into  the  most  tender,  low  and  pathetic 
sweetness,  again  changing  into  the  most 
empassioned  sprightliness,  and  abounding 
in  all  the  tender,  mild  and  touching  tones 
of  the  English  Nightingale.  In  fact,  with 
the  single  exception  of  our  Mocking-bird, 
he  is  the  prince  of  songsters. 

In  the  cage,  where  he  is  only  occasion- 
ally met  with,  he  is  one  of  the  most  deli- 
cious of  songsters,  thriving  as  well  and 
even  better  than  the  Cardinal  Grosbeak, 


ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK.        157 

and  occasioning  much  less  trouble.  His 
food  is  all  the  usual  kinds  of  bird-seed, 
which  may  be  varied  during  their  season, 
with  the  different  sorts  of  berries  to  be 
obtained  in  our  markets.  He  is  particu- 
larly fond  of  those  of  the  "sour  gum," 
which  abound  in  the  woods  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  city. 

The  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak  requires 
to  be  kept  in  a  warm  and  airy  stove-room 
during  winter. 


14 


PART  V. 

PURPLE  FINCHES. — ErytJirospizse. 

CHAPTER  I. 

PURPLE    FINCH,    OR    AMERICAN    LINNET. — 
Erythrospiza  purpurea. 

THIS  beautiful,  large  and  cheerful  song- 
ster, is  also  a  native  resident,  though  but 
little  known  as  a  cage-bird  in  this  section  of 
country.  The  colour  of  the  male  is  a  rich 
dark  crimson,  which  is  deepest  on  the 
upper  part  of  the  body,  and  his  tail  and 
wings  are  of  a  dusky  brown. 

In  the  Eastern  States  the  Linnet,  as  he 
is  there  called,  is  a  great  favourite  as  a 
song-bird,  and  brings  very  high  prices. 
He  is  caught  in  the  spring  and  fall  in 
trap-cages. 

His  song,  which  strongly  resembles  in 


PURPLE-FINCH.  159 

sweetness  and  strength  the  delicious  notes 
of  our  Red-eyed  Vireo,  or  Greenlet,  (  Vireo 
olivaceous^)  is  given  in  a  wild  state  from 
the  summits  of  the  tallest  tulip-poplar 
trees,  (Liriodendron  tulipiferaj)  where  the 
bird  is  most  commonly  seen.  It  is  there 
poured  forth  for  successive  hours,  without 
any  faltering,  and  scarcely  a  moment's 
intermission  for  rest.  When  caged  in  the 
same  room  with  a  Canary,  the  Purple 
Finch's  musical  powers  so  far  transcend 
that  songster,  that  a  comparison  would  be 
odious  to  our  exquisite  bird. 

In  the  cage  he  may  be  given  all  the 
seeds  adapted  for  the  Canary,  with  the 
addition  of  sun-flower  and  hemp  in  the 
fall  and  winter  season,  and  plenty  of 
gravel  and  water.  He  is  quite  hardy. 


BOOK  II. 

OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. — Omnivores. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Of  the  general  characteristics  of  Omnivorous 
Birds. 

THIS  common  and  well  known  order 
comprises  in  its  range  those  birds  with 
whom  we  are  every  day  familiar.  Their 
habits  and  manners  differ  more,  and  their 
appearances  as  regards  plumage  and  size 
are  more  varied  than  those  of  any  other 
race  of  the  feathered  tribe.  Some  suspend 
their  nests  by  threads  from  limbs,  where 
they  are  subject  to  the  sport  of  every 
wind,  others  secure  them  firmly  between 
forks,  and  others  again  rest  them  on  the 
ground  amid  the  shelter  of  bushes,  or  in 
tussocks  of  long,  rank  grass.  Some  are 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. 

familiar  as  household  words,  seeking  out 
the  society  of  man,  while  others  are  shy 
and  suspicious,  living  in  the  thickest 
woods,  and  avoiding  our  habitations  with 
an  apparent  semi-reasoning  power,  as  if 
conscious  of  the  dangers  that  awaited 
them. 

Omnivorous  birds  are  gregarious  in 
their  habits,  with  the  single  exception  of 
the  breeding  season,  when  some  in  single 
pairs  seek  solitary  situations,  while  others 
build  their  nests  in  sociable  connection, 
and  form  a  common  community  for  each 
other's  protection. 

Their  plumage,  with  some  exceptions,  is 
noted  for  its  beauty  or  singularity,  and 
their  song  is  generally  more  remarkable 
for  its  loudness  and  power,  than  for  any 
softness  or  delicacy  of  execution.  Many 
of  this  order  possess  the  power  of  mi- 
micry to  a  considerable  degree,  and  can 
readily  be  taught  to  articulate  words,  and 
even  lengthy  sentences. 

When   in  confinement,  they   soon  be- 


162  OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. 

come  thoroughly  domesticated  and  fami- 
liar, and  from  their  character,  easily  sup- 
plied with  food,  which  in  a  wild  state  is 
composed  of  seeds  of  all  kinds,  insects, 
worms,  and  frequently  grain  and  fruits. 


DIVISION  I. 

FOREIGN  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

STARLINGS  . — Sturni. 

CHAPTER  I. 

EUROPEAN  STARLING. — Sturnus  vulgaris. 

THE  Starling,  one  of  the  most  common 
and  numerous  residents  of  England,  and 
indeed  all  Europe,  is  frequently  brought  to 
this  country,  where  he  is  highly  esteemed 
as  a  cage-bird,  for  his  excellent  qualities, 
and  sold  for  a  high  price. 

The  colour  of  the  male  bird  is  a  deep 
black,  with  rich  metallic  reflections,  vary- 
ing from  golden-green  to  deep  violet  and 


164  STARLING. 

dark  purple,  constantly  changing  in  ap- 
pearance as  the  bird  moves  its  position. 
The  whole  body  is  likewise  beautifully 
dropped,  or  mottled  with  triangular  star- 
like  spots,  which  are  white  on  the  breast 
of  the  bird  and  cream-coloured  on  the 
back.  The  bill  is  a  bright  yellow,  the 
eyes  hazel,  and  the  legs  either  yellow  or 
brown. 

In  a  wild  state  the  Starling  is  very 
lively,  whistling  and  chattering  constantly, 
and  then  somewhat  resembles  in  habits 
and  manners  our  Red-winged  Blackbird, 
(Icterus  prasdatorius.)  There  he  associates 
not  only  with  his  own  kind,  but  with  many 
other  varieties  of  birds.  Changing  as  it 
were  his  character  in  their  society,  he  drops 
his  own  peculiar  note  and  with  a  ready 
association  to  circumstances,  whistles  with 
the  Plover,  chatters  with  the  Jack-daw, 
caws  with  the  Crow  and  screams  with  the 
Sea- fowl. 

In  the  cage,  his  character  is  the  same, 
with  an  equally  great  fondness  for  imita- 


STARLING.  165 

tion.  Here  he  may  be  easily  taught  to 
repeat  with  exactness  short  phrases,  and 
even  whole  sentences;  to  warble  tunes; 
and  to  do  many  other  semi-reasoning 
feats.  His  song  is  likewise  better  in  this  / 
situation  than  it  is  in  his  native  fields  or 
woods. 

His  treatment  may  be  the  same  as  that 
prescribed  for  our  Red-wing  in  every  par- 
ticular. Giving  to  him  grain,  berries, 
seeds  and  cherries,  when  the  last  are  in 
season,  for  he  is  remarkably  fond  of  them. 


PART  II. 

ORIOLES. — Icterii. 

CHAPTER  I. 

ICTERIC  ORIOLE,  OR  TROUPIAL.     GOLDEN- 
WINGED  ORIOLE. — Icterus . 

THE  Icteric,  which  so  closely  resembles 
the  Golden-winged  Oriole  of  South  Ame- 
rica, is  a  native  of  the  East  Indies,  one 
half  larger  in  size  and  rather  more  bril- 
liant in  plumage  than  his  brother,  the 
Baltimore-bird  of  this  country.  He  pos- 
sesses a  greater  power,  though  not  the 
same  sweetness  of  song  as  the  last. 

The  treatment  both  of  this  and  the 
Golden-winged  Oriole,  which  although  a 
distinct  species,  is  often  mistaken  for,  and 
bought  as  the  Troupial,  must  be  the  same 
as  that  prescribed  for  our  lovely  species. 


ORIOLE. 

He  will  likewise  eat  any  kind  of  ripe  fruits 
and  berries,  which  may  be  given  to  him 
in  their  respective  seasons.  He  is  wholly 
omnivorous. 

The  Orioles  require  to  be  kept  very 
warm  during  the  winter  season,  to  have 
plenty  of  cage  room,  and  to  be  constantly 
supplied  with  water. 


PART  III. 

CROWS. — Corvi. 

CHAPTER  I. 

EUROPEAN  JACK-DAW. — Corvus  monedula. 

Where  the  ruined  turrets  of  the  old 
castellated  buildings  of  England  stand, 
still  mighty  in  decay,  and  beneath  the 
parapets  of  the  Gothic  churches  and  mo- 
nasteries, as  it  were  the  sole  monarch  of 
those  homes  of  bygone  chivalry  and  papal 
pride,  the  Jack-daw  sits  and  builds  his 
nest,  while  his  hoarse  chatter  to  his  hun- 
dred companions  takes  the  place  of  the 
trumpet-tone  of  the  knight,  the  gay  laugh 
and  jest  of  chivalric  noblemen  and  lovely 
demoiselles,  the  cry  of  the  falconer  as  his 
winged  charge  mounted  high  in  the  air  in 


JACK-DAW.  169 

pursuit  of  the  lordly  Heron,  or  the  holy 
hymn  of  the  priest  and  the  chaunt  of  the 
grey  vestured  and  shaven  monk  at  the 
altar  of  the  MOST  HIGH.  These  have 
passed  away.  Knight  and  noble,  lady  and 
page,  prior  and  priest,  great  and  low,  all, 
all  have  sank  into  the  grave,  and  none 
wot  now  of  their  transient  existence. 
Yet,  hovering  amid  the  same  scenes,  the 
Jack-daw  still  lives  and  moves  the  lord  of 
all,  while  the  prouder  and  nobler  of  mor- 
tality are  forgotten. 

The  Jack-daw,  though  living  in  such 
localities,  and  somewhat  unsocial  in  his 
habits,  from  the  knowledge  that  man  is 
not  one  to  trust,  a  knowledge  which  only 
in  the  human  breast  is  acquired  after 
many  years  of  manly  experience  in  the 
world,  is  still  a  favourite  with  the  farmers 
and  peasantry  of  his  native  land.  There, 
habited  in  his  raven  suit,  with  a  plain  ash- 
grey  mark  upon  the  hind  part  of  his  head, 
he  strolls  from  field  to  field  and  wood  to 
wood,  as  much  like  one  of  the  wandering 
15 


170  JACK-DAW. 

Gitani  in  habit  as  any  of  the  feathered 
race  can  be. 

On  the  old  tower  of  Dundee,  in  Scotland, 
full  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  earth,  and  beneath  the  decay- 
ing parapets,  numbers  of  these  birds  even 
now  build  their  nests,  and  even  here  they 
were  once  pursued  by  the  adventurous 
hand  and  cupidity  of  man.  The  hero  of 
this  dauntless  and  dangerous  feat,  was 
one  Murray,  a  barber  of  the  old  town, 
who,  with  a  companion,  undertook  to  rob 
the  Daws'  nests.  These  could  not  be 
reached  from  above,  and  the  brave  fellow 
creeping  through  one  of  the  slits,  lowered 
himself  gradually  down  with  one  hand;  he 
was  still  a  few  feet  from  his  object,  when 
he  called  to  his  companion  to  reach  him 
his  bonnet  and  hold  tight  to  it,  while  he 
let  himself  by  this  means  the  further 
length  of  his  and  his  companion's  arm. 
He  did  so;  and  now,  suspended  between 
heaven  and  earth,  with  only  his  and  his 
friend's  hold  on  that  frail  article,  he  ba- 


JACK-DAW. 

lanced  himself  with  his  feet  against  the 
perpendicular  wall,  and  proceeded  to  fill 
the  bonnet  above  him  with  the  young 
birds.  While  in  this  perilous  situation, 
his  companion  asked  "how  many  young 
are  in  the  nest?"  "Five,"  was  the  answer. 
"I  must  have  three  of  them."  "You  shall 
have  no  such  thing,"  was  Murray's  deter- 
mined response:  "I  have  all  the  risk,  and 
you  shall  have  but  two."  "Well!  then  I 
will  let  go  the  bonnet."  "If  you  do,"  said 
the  other,"  you  shall  have  none  of  the 
spoil!"  His  companion  at  last  consented 
to  the  arrangement,  and  the  intrepid  youth 
soon  stood  in  safety  with  his  prey  upon 
the  lofty  summit  of  the  old  castle. 

In  a  wild  state  the  food  of  the  Daw  is 
insects,  grain  and  fruit;  but  in  confinement 
he  will  eat  almost  any  thing,  and  may  be 
treated  like  the  Crow,  or  Magpie.  He  is 
easily  tamed,  may  be  taught  to  articulate 
words  and  sentences,  and  become  the 
most  docile  of  birds.  For  this  purpose 
he  must  be  raised  from  the  nest. 


172  JACK-DAW. 

He  is  only  occasionally  brought  to  this 
country,  where  his  price  varies  from  three 
to  five  dollars. 


PART  IV. 
JAYS. — Garruli. 

CHAPTER  I. 

EUROPEAN  JAY. — Garrulus  glandarius. 

AMONG  the  whole  imported  tribe  of 
birds  who  are  annually  brought  to  our 
shores,  the  European  Jay  stands  con- 
spicuous for  his  varied  talents  and  the 
neatness  and  indeed  beauty  of  his  plum- 
age, of  which  some  idea  may  be  formed, 
by  those  unacquainted  with  the  bird,  from 
the  following  concise  description. 

His  bill  is  black,  and  his  eyes  white. 
His  head  is  crested;  but  not  so  much  so 
as  our  Jay,  or  our  Cardinal-bird.  The 
feathers  which  compose  this  ornament  are 
white,  striped  with  black;  and  the  whole 
may  be  erected  or  depressed  at  the  plea- 


174  JAY. 

sure  of  the  bird.  The  body  of  the  Jay  is 
a  rich  cinnamon  colour,  which  is  lighter 
upon  the  breast  than  it  is  on  the  back. 
The  wings  are  beautifully  marked  with  a 
patch  of  brilliant  azure,  barred  with  black. 

In  a  wild  state,  where  he  has  the  en- 
tirety of  the  habits  of  our  still  lovelier- 
looking  species,  his  food  is  acorns,  seeds, 
nuts,  fruits  and  the  eggs  and  young  of 
other  birds,  of  which  he  is  immoderately 
fond,  and  for  which  cannibal-like  propen- 
sity he  is  shot  down  on  every  occasion  by 
the  game-keeper  without  mercy.  In  do- 
mestication he  may  be  treated  like  the 
before-mentioned  bird. 

In  the  cage,  like  the  rest  of  his  order,  he 
is  very  familiar  and  docile,  and  will  learn 
sentences  with  the  greatest  ease.  His 
song,  however,  abounds  more  in  loudness 
and  shrillness  than  it  *  does  in  sweetness 
or  delicacy  of  tone;  but  his  talent  for 
imitating  the  louder-voiced  birds  and  ani- 
mals, is  striking  and  peculiar;  consisting 
generally  in  close  mimicry  of  the  bleating 


JAY.  175 

of  cattle,  the  calls  of  the  domestic  fowls, 
the  neighing  of  horses  and  the  screaming 
of  geese.  One  of  these  birds  was  known  to 
imitate  the  sound  of  a  saw  so  closely,  that 
though  it  was  on  a  Sunday,  listeners  could 
hardly  be  persuaded  that  his  innocent 
owner  had  not  a  carpenter  at  work  in  his 
dwelling.  Another  bird  had  learned  to 
hound  a  dog  upon  cattle  by  whistling  to 
him  and  calling  him  by  name;  but  he  suf- 
fered severely  for  his  mischievous  propen- 
sity. On  one  occasion  the  dog,  on  a 
frosty-day,  impelled  by  the  calls  of  the 
Jay,  pursued  a  cow  that  was  big  with 
young,  and  the  poor  animal  fell  upon  the 
ice  and  was  severely  hurt.  Her  owner 
immediately  prosecuted  the  owner  of  the 
bird  for  keeping  a  nuisance,  and  the  poor 
songster  was  compelled  to  be  killed.  In 
the  pronunciation  of  words,  the  Jay  al- 
ways succeeds  best,  as  indeed  do  all  birds 
with  those  in  which  the  letter  R  is  most 
frequent. 

His  prices  vary  in  this  country  from  ten 


176  JAY. 

to  twenty  dollars.  He  is  very  hardy  in 
habit,  and  will  endure  considerable  cold 
without  injury. 


DIVISION  II. 

NATIVE  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

AMERICAN  STARLINGS. — Sturnellse. 

CHAPTER  I. 

AMERICAN  STARLING,  OR  MEADOW-LARK. — 
Sturnella  ludoviciana. 

THE  first  of  this  order,  which  we  shall 
touch  upon,  is  the  Meadow-lark,  a  well 
known  resident  of  old  fields  and  marshy 
meadows,  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  in 
every  section  of  the  union.  We  give  his 
description,  because  we  have  occasionally 
met  with  a  specimen  in  the  cage,  where 
he  is  valuable  for  his  beauty  of  plumage 


178  STARLING. 

and  the  low  and  sweet,  though  melancholy 
character  of  his  song,  which  is  given 
during  a  considerable  portion  of  the  day, 
and  is,  if  any  thing,  rather  monotonous. 

The  colours  of  this  bird  are  plain,  but 
varied  so  much  in  their  disposition  as  to 
give  him  considerable  beauty.  The  belly 
and  throat  of  the  Lark  are  a  bright  yel- 
low, while  across  his  breast  runs  a  regular 
crescent  of  deep  raven-black,  with  which 
his  back  and  wings  are  also  spotted, 
diversified  with  bright  bay  and  ochreous- 
yellow  colours. 

His  habits,  when  wild,  are  shy  and  re- 
tiring, except  in  the  winter  season,  when 
the  driving  snows  force  him  to  seek  out 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  habitations  of 
man,  and  even  the  public  roads,  where  he 
is  hourly  disturbed  by  the  passage  of 
vehicles,  while  in  the  search  of  his  scanty 
meal.  In  the  cage,  he  soon  becomes 
familiar,  and  may  even  be  taught  like  his 
prototype,  the  English  Stare,  or  Starling, 
to  articulate  various  words. 


STARLING.  179 

In  this  situation  he  may  be  fed  upon 
the  different  kinds  of  bird  and  grass  seeds, 
with  a  large  quantity  of  coarse  gravel  and 
plenty  of  water,  in  which  he  is  fond  of 
bathing.  The  Lark  may  occasionally  be 
obtained  of  our  professional  bird-fanciers. 


PART  II. 

TR  OUPI  ALS  . — Icterii. 

CHAPTER  I. 

BALTIMORE  ORIOLE,  OR  GOLDEN  ROBIN. — 
Icterus  Baltimorus. 

THIS  singularly  beautiful  and  interest- 
ing bird,  is  a  summer  resident  of  the 
whole  western  continent.  As  early  as  the 
first  of  May,  his  loud  fifing  song  may  be 
heard  among  the  budding  branches  of  the 
forest  oaks  and  kingly  sycamores,  or  dis- 
tinctly above  the  noisy  din  in  the  streets 
and  thoroughfares  of  our  crowded  city. 
In  either  situation  the  Hanging-bird  may 
be  seen  darting  about,  full  of  life,  activity 
and  joyousness,  in  the  company  of  his  less 
richly  marked  mate,  from  twig  to  twig 


BALTIMORE  ORIOLE. 

and  limb  to  limb,  in  active  pursuit  of  the 
small  beetles  and  different  winged  insects 
which  then  form  his  principal  nourishment. 
All  the  while  he  converses  with  his  mate, 
or  utters  loud  and  harmonious  notes  of 
gratulation,  as  he  secures  his  agile  and 
alert  prey. 

The  song  of  the  Golden  Robin,  as  he  is 
sometimes  called,  is  loud,  varied  and  in- 
teresting, and  strikes  the  ear  of  the  listener 
more  like  the  shrill  tone  of  the  fife,  min- 
gled with  the  mellow  breathings  of  the 
flute,  than  the  notes  of  a  woodland 
songster.  It  is  likewise  modulated  in  an 
exquisite  manner,  and  frequently  consists 
of  an  imitation  of  the 'sweetest  and  most 
powerful  notes  of  other  birds,  which  the 
Oriole  follows  with  all  the  correctness  of 
an  echo,  astonishing  his  hearers  with  his 
exactness  and  similarity.  Indeed,  so  sin- 
gular is  this  habit  with  the  Hanging-bird, 
that  I  much  doubt  whether  he  has  any 
original  song  of  his  own,  and  whether  the 
various  melodies  with  which  he  delights 
16 


182  BALTIMORE  ORIOLE. 

our  ears,  are  not  the  notes  of  tropical 
American  and  West  Indian  birds,  which 
he  has  acquired  during  his  winter  sojourn 
in  those  sections  of  the  world.  Be  that 
as  it  may,  we  have  but  few  among  our 
cage-birds  who  possess  the  same  manifold 
attractions  to  our  affections  as  the  Balti- 
more Oriole. 

The  colours  of  this  lovely  creature  are 
of  a  brilliant  orange  and  glistening  black, 
with  a  few  strips  of  white  upon  the  wing. 
From  these  he  derives  his  name,  since 
they  are  the  colours  of  the  family  of  lord 
Baltimore,  the  first  proprietary  of  Mary- 
land. 

In  confinement,  for  which  he  is  readily 
obtained  by  means  of  a  trap-cage,  he  be- 
comes extremely  familiar  and  even  play- 
ful, coming  at  call,  going  in  and  out  of 
the  house  like  one  of  the  family,  and 
perching  upon  the  neck  or  head  of  his  fail- 
owner,  with  an  affectionate  sociability. 
His  food  in  the  cage  should  consist  prin- 
cipally of  soaked  wheaten  bread,  scalded 


BALTIMORE  ORIOLE. 

Indian-meal,  and  fruits  of  all  kinds,  as 
cherries,  strawberries,  currants,  black  and 
whortle,  or  as  they  are  vulgarly  called, 
huckleberries,  and  during  the  winter  sea- 
son, dried  currants,  raisins  and  figs.  In- 
sects of  every  kind  may  be  added  to  his 
fare. 

Perhaps  the  best  method  of  obtaining 
the  Oriole,  would  be  to  rear  him  from  the 
nest.  This  can  be  done  with  the  greatest 
facility.  The  food  for  this  purpose  should 
be  raw  meats  of  different  kinds,  excepting 
pork,  which  is  indigestible,  minced  finely 
and  soaked  in  fresh  sweet  milk.  This  is 
equally  nutritious  with  the  insect  food 
which  he  receives  in  a  state  of  nature; 
and  it  will  cause  the  bird  to  grow  as 
vigorously  as  if  he  were  raised  by  his 
natural  protectors. 

When  able  to  feed  himself,  the  food 
before  recommended  may  be  placed  in  his 
cage,  with  the  addition  of  sweet  cakes,  of 
which  he  is  immoderately  fond. 

The  Oriole  lives  to  a  considerable  age, 


184  ORCHARD  ORIOLE. 

when  properly  treated.  He  should  be  kept 
in  the  warmest  room  in  the  house  during 
the  winter  season,  as  he  is  extremely  sus- 
ceptible of  cold. 


CHAPTER  II. 

ORCHARD  ORIOLE,  OR   HANGING-BIRD. — Ic- 
terus spurius. 

This  handsome  variety,  so  closely  re- 
lated to  the  preceding  species  in  manner 
and  habits,  visits  the  United  States  about 
the  same  time,  and  continues  with  us  about 
four  months.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time,  in  company  with  small  flocks  of  his 
companions,  he  gradually  departs  to  win- 
ter in  the  more  congenial  temperature  of 
tropical  America. 

In  the  woods  or  orchards  he  is  a  most 
sprightly,  active  and  even  restless  bird, 


ORCHARD  ORIOLE.  135 

now  darting  about  on  the  highest  branches 
of  trees,  singing  in  a  wild,  hurried  man- 
ner, in  pursuit  of  his  prey;  the  next  mo- 
ment upon  the  ground  searching  among 
the  waving  spears  of  grass  for  a  favourite 
insect. 

His  song  is  always  so  rapidly  executed, 
that  it  would  be  difficult  to  trace  out  a 
resemblance  to  that  of  any  other  songster; 
although  he,  like  the  Baltimore  Oriole, 
undoubtedly  indulges  in  the  talent  of  mi- 
micry. 

He  may,  like  the  same  bird,  be  taken 
in  trap-cages,  and  raised  like  him  from 
the  nest  upon  the  same  description  of 
food,  to  which  may  be  added  boiled  or 
swelled  rice,  of  which  he  is,  at  times, 
immoderately  fond.  He  will  likewise 
greedily  devour  caterpillars,  which,  when 
he  is  in  a  wild  state,  forms  a  principal 
article  of  his  food  during  the  summer 
season.  He  must  be  kept  in  a  very  warm 
situation  during  the  winter. 

The  colour  of  this  singular  and  capri- 


186          RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 

cious  little  songster  is  a  rich,  bright  chest- 
nut-red, with  his  tail  and  upper  portion  of 
his  body  of  a  glossy  black.  His  form  is 
slender  and  graceful,  and  his  whole  be- 
haviour more  sprightly  and  active,  either 
in  the  forest  or  the  cage  than  that  of  any 
other  American  bird. 


CHAPTER  III. 

RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. — Icterus  prcedato- 
rius. 

This  very  common  and  well  known  bird 
is  closely  allied  to  both  the  preceding 
species,  and  occupies  nearly  the  same 
position  among  the  birds  of  America,  as 
does  the  Stare,  or  Starling,  in  the  Orni- 
thology of  Europe.  They  move  together, 
after  the  breeding  season  has  terminated, 
in  large  and  densely  formed  flocks,  which 


RED- WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 

are  frequently  so  numerous  as  to  darken 
the  horizon. 

The  colour  of  the  male  is  a  glisten- 
ing jet  black,  with  the  wing-coverts,  or 
shoulders  of  the  wing,  of  a  brilliant  fiery- 
scarlet,  which  is  edged  round  on  the  lower 
part  by  a  series  of  feathers  of  a  soft  and 
delicate  cream-colour. 

His  song,  which  is  given  with  the 
greatest  earnestness  either  in  the  cage  or 
his  native  marshes,  consists  of  a  strange 
mixture  of  discordance  and  sweetness, 
something  between  a  chatter  and  a  war- 
ble, which  constantly  seem  "agreeing  to 
disagree."  Yet  his  notes  have  at  times  a 
strange  and  if  any  thing,  a  sweet  liquidity, 
and  at  others  a  harshness  of  sound  most 
closely  resembling  the  sawings  of  a  file, 
the  creaking  of  a  tavern  sign  upon  its 
rusty  hinges,  and  the  delicious  melody 
which  arises  during  the  interesting  opera- 
tion of  frying  a  pan  of  eggs.  In  fact  his 
whole  performance  is  a  queer  conglomera- 


188          RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 

tion  of  sweetness  and  discordance  of  tone, 
perfectly  sui  generis  to  this  eccentric  bird. 

In  confinement,  for  which  he  is  easily 
obtained,  and  in  which  he  is  frequently 
found,  he  becomes  in  a  short  time  very 
playful  and  familiar,  singing  with  great 
volubility  and  performing  a  variety  of 
amusing  tricks.  One  specimen,  which  was 
in  my  own  collection,  used  to,  when  the 
cage  was  opened,  fly  to  me  and  perch 
upon  my  head,  shoulder  or  hand,  gently 
stroking  me  with  his  bill;  and  another, 
which  belonged  to  a  friend,  was  self-edu- 
cated to  an  almost  wonderful  degree,  dis- 
playing talents  and  power  of  acquiring 
knowledge,  perfectly  untaught,  almost 
equal  to  man  himself. 

This  bird  would  at  the  commencement 
of  conversation  by  any  of  the  family,  or 
when  his  owner,  who  read  frequently 
aloud,  commenced  that  operation,  though 
sitting  perfectly  quiet  before,  interrupt 
them,  and  entirely  prevent  any  thing  like 
speaking  with  his  intense  volubility  and 


RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD.          139 

loudness  of  song.  When  he  was  scolded, 
he  would  retire  to  the  upper  perch  of  his 
cage,  bristle  out  his  feathers  and  utter  the 
words  "poor  Dick!  poor  Dick!"  so  pite- 
ously  that  he  was  immediately  forgiven 
for  his  amusing  fault.  The  talents  of  this 
singular  bird  did  not  rest  here.  He  imi- 
tated everything  which  struck  his  ear. 
The  crowing  of  a  cock  was  equal,  though 
in  a  minor  key,  to  that  of  the  tame  "Ban- 
tam," who  strutted  about  in  the  neigh- 
bouring yard;  and  the  close  imitation  of 
the  mournful  "coo"  of  the  Pigeons,  who 
sat  upon  the  adjacent  roofs,  was  strikingly 
accurate  and  beautiful. 

Another  of  these  birds,  which  I  after- 
wards possessed,  owned  an  almost  equal 
degree  of  power,  but  was  poisoned,  before 
he  perfected  his  education,  by  a  fellow 
lodger  in  the  house  where  I  resided,  who 
complained  that  his  early  song  prevented 
him  from  sleeping. 

Birds  of  this  kind  are  frequently  kept 
by  the  fanciers,  to  whom  they  are  brought 


190          RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 

for  sale  by  the  "gunners,"  who  wound 
them  in  the  wing,  during  the  months  of 
September  and  October,  in  the  large  reed 
marshes  which  line  the  borders  of  our 
rivers. 

Like  the  Oriole  they  are  omnivorous, 
but  may  be  easily  kept  upon  the  different 
kinds  of  seeds  given  to  Canaries,  and  will 
readily  feed  upon  swelled  rice,  or  buck- 
wheat and  oats,  of  which  they  are  very 
fond.  During  its  season  they  may  be 
given  an  ear  of  green  corn,  which  they 
greedily  devour.  They  should  also  be 
well  supplied  with  water  in  a  pan,  to  allow 
them  to  bathe,  which  they  do  several 
times  a  day,  flinging  the  liquid  contents 
over  every  part  of  the  cage;  and  with  a 
sufficiency  of  gravel,  which  they  use  in 
considerable  quantities  to  promote  diges- 
tion. 

They  should  be  kept  in  a  good  sized 
cage,  and  in  a  warm  room  in  winter; 
though  they  are  able  to  endure  considera- 
ble cold. 


PART  III. 

RICE  BIRDS. — Dolichonices. 

CHAPTER  I. 

REED-BIRD,   OR    RICE    BUNTING. — Dolicho- 
nyx  oryzivora. 

THIS  interesting  and  vivaceous  song- 
ster, so  well  and  familiarly  known  to  the 
epicure  by  its  title  of  "Reed,  or  Butter- 
bird,"  but  more  so  to  the  residents  of  our 
extensive  tract  of  country  from  the  sin- 
gular nickname  of  "Bob-O-Link,"  being 
given  alike  to  itself  and  the  favourite  note 
he  utters,  is  an  inhabitant  during  the  sum- 
mer and  fall  months  of  the  entirety  of  our 
continent. 

When  he  first  arrives  in  the  spring,  he 
takes  up  his  quarters  on  the  low  and 


192  REEp-BIRD. 

marshy  meadow  lands,  and  among  the 
thickets  which  line  the  margins  of  our 
large  rivers,  inland  creeks  and  water 
courses,  which  seem  alive  with  melody  of 
the  clearest,  most  liquid,  interesting  and 
delightful  character.  To  describe  the 
song  of  this  bird  would  be  doing  him 
injustice,  so  varied  and  so  striking  are 
the  cadences  which  at  once  delight  and 
astonish  the  listener.  Perched  upon  some 
low  bush,  or  tussock  of  grass,  near  their 
mates,  hundreds  of  male  birds  may  be 
seen  and  heard  at  one  time,  as  they  rend 
the  air  with  a  wild  incongruity  of  sweet 
sounds,  which  ascend  mingling  in  harmony, 
a  seeming  hymn  of  innocent  votaries  to 
the  beneficent  God  of  Nature! 

The  plumage  of  this  bird  in  his  season 
of  song,  is  no  less  singular  and  beautiful 
than  his  musical  powers,  being  of  a  rich 
glossy  black,  with  a  perfect  crescent  on 
the  back  of  the  head,  of  a  rich  mellow 
cream-colour,  while  the  lower  portion  of 
his  back  and  his  wing-coverts  are  a  pure 


In  tEe  cageTin  which,  during  later 
years,  they  have  arrived  to  be  great  fa- 
vourites, they  become  at  once  the  liveliest, 
most  agreeable  and  sociable  of  compa- 
nions, constantly  delighting  the  ears  with 
their  rich  and  ever  varying  profusion  of 
song,  which  is  given  from  daylight  until 
sunset  with  scarcely  any  intermission. 
Here  they  have  another  excellent  quality, 
in  which  they  differ  from  most  other  song- 
birds, which  is  that  they  sing  well  in  com- 
pany, exciting  each  other  to  rivalry  and 
emulation  for  hours  and  hours  together. 

Some  of  the  various  notes,  though  it  is 

difficult  to  describe  them  from  the  rapidity 

with  which  they  are  delivered,  strongly 

resemble  the  pronunciation  of  words  and 

17 


meet,  meet,"  in  a  most  ludicrous  manner. 
Nuttall,  in  his  excellent  "Manual  of  Orni- 
thology," gives  many  other  sentences 
which  they  repeat  in  the  course  of  their 
song  during  their  continuance  in  a  wild 
state.  These,  although  the  fact  may  ap- 
pear strange,  approximate  as  closely  to 
the  character  of  this  bird's  strain  of  song, 
as  words  can  imitate;  and  are  usually 
uttered  when  flying  on  the  wing  near  his 
mate,  who  is  sitting  on  her  nest  in  some 
overgrown  tussock.  "Tom  Denny!  Tom 
Denny!  come-and-pay-me-the-two-and-six- 
pence-you've-  owed- me-  more-than-a-year- 
and-a-half-ago !" 

They  may  readily  be  kept  in  the  cage 
upon  canary-seed  alone,  or  on  a  mixture 


REED-BIRD.  195 

of  the  various  kinds,  with  the  exception  of 
hemp,  which  is  always  injurious  to  them; 
gravel  and  a  profusion  of  water  should  be 
constantly  supplied,  as  they  are  fonder  of 
diving  and  washing  than  any  other  cage- 
bird. 

I  am  fully  satisfied  that  they  will  breed 
readily  in  confinement,  in  a  room;  and  will 
even,  as  I  have  myself  seen,  actually  pair- 
with  the  hen  Canary,  though  twice  the 
size  of  that  favourite  little  bird.  This  ex- 
periment was  very  successfully  tried  with 
one  of  these  birds  and  a  female  of  the 
before-mentioned  species,  in  a  collection 
kept  by  Mrs.  Welden,  the  former  matron 
of  the  Philadelphia  Hospital  at  Blockley; 
who,  as  I  regret  to  learn,  lost  all  the  mule- 
birds,  by  one  of  the  diseases  which  attack 
the  young  in  the  moulting  season.  Those 
which  I  saw  at  different  periods  were  a 
strange  intermixture,  between  the  two 
parents,  partaking  of  the  colours  of  both, 
but  with  the  bill,  form  and  claws  closely 
resembling  the  Rice-bird.  I  have  no 


196  REED-BIRD. 

doubt,  had  they  lived,  they  would  have 
been  wonderful  for  their  powers  of  song, 
as  well  as  strangeness  of  plumage.  The 
disease  of  which  they  perished  I  believe 
was  "surfeit,"  which  was  caused  from 
their  being  fed  entirely  upon  Indian-meal 
paste,  owing  to  the  difficulty  of  obtaining 
canary-seed  during  the  summer  of  1841. 

They  should  be  kept  in  a  comfortable 
room  during  winter,  carefully  guarding 
them  from  draughts  of  air  at  the  periods 
of  their  moult,  which  occur  every  spring 
and  fall. 

They  may  readily  be  obtained  in  any  of 
our  markets,  at  the  low  prices  of  from  37  J 
to  50  cents  each,  during  the  summer  and 
fall,  or  of  some  of  our  fanciers,  who  have 
accustomed  them  to  the  cage,  at  one  or 
two  dollars  each. 


PART  IV. 

CROWS. — Corvi. 

CHAPTER  I. 

AMERICAN  CROW. — Corvus  Americana. 

THIS  well  known  bird  is  an  inhabitant 
of  the  greater  portion  of,  if  not  of  the 
whole  world,  and  is  frequently  met  with 
in  a  state  of  domestication.  For  this  pur- 
pose he  is  raised  from  the  nest,  and  soon 
becomes  as  familiar  as  a  chicken,  regard- 
ing man  as  a  friend,  and  approaching  him 
without  the  slightest  hesitation  or  fear. 

We  extract  the  following  close  descrip- 
tion of  his  character  from  Nuttall's  excel- 
lent Manual  of  Ornithology.  This  learn- 
ed naturalist  says;  "the  Crow  is  easily 
raised  and  domesticated,  and  soon  learns 
17* 


198  CROW. 

to  distinguish  the  different  members  of  the 
family  with  which  he  is  associated.  He 
screams  at  the  approach  of  a  stranger; 
learns  to  open  the  door  by  alighting  on 
the  latch;  attends  regularly  at  meal  times; 
is  very  noisy  and  loquacious;  imitates  the 
sound  of  various  words  which  he  hears;  is 
very  thievish,  given  to  hiding  curiosities 
in  holes  and  crevices,  and  is  very  fond  of 
carrying  off  pieces  of  metal,  corn,  bread 
and  food  of  all  kinds;  he  is  also  particu- 
larly attached  to  the  society  of  his  mas- 
ter, and  recollects  him  sometimes  after  a 
long  absence." 

He  is  perfectly  omnivorous,  eating 
greedily  of  any  substance,  whether  animal 
or  vegetable,  which  is  offered  to  him  by 
his  owner.  He  lives  to  an  extraordinary 
age. 


PART  V. 

MAGPIES. — Piece. 

CHAPTER  I. 

MAGPIE. — Pica  melanoleuca. 

THIS  bird,  familiar  as  a  household  word 
to  every  inhabitant  of  England,  is,  though 
one  of  the  commonest  residents  of  the 
western  section  of  this  continent,  only 
occasionally  met  with  in  the  houses  of 
our  citizens,  and  then  only  when  they 
have  been  brought  from  Europe. 

His  plumage  is  a  deep  velvety-black, 
with  the  belly  and  upper  portion  of  the 
wings  of  a  glossy  snow-white,  which  gives 
to  the  bird  a  singularly  striking  appear- 
ance. 

His  musical  powers  are  naturally  very 


200  MAGPIE. 

slight;  but  he  possesses  a  talent  of  imita- 
tion which  renders  him  an  immense  fa- 
vourite. This  includes  nearly  every  thing 
which  the  Pie  hears,  now  following  the 
"moo"  of  the  Cow,  then  running  into  the 
different  notes  of  various  song-birds,  or 
uttering  the  cluck  of  the  chicken,  and  so 
on  through  an  almost  tedious  catalogue 
of  sounds. 

In  confinement  he  is  very  sociable, 
running  in  and  out  of  the  house,  perching 
upon  the  backs  of  the  cattle,  and  making 
himself  feared  and  respected  by  the  do- 
mestic animals,  as  dogs  and  cats,  with 
whom  he  associates  himself,  playing  upon 
them  numerous  tricks  with  a  strange  kind 
of  familiarity.  His  power  of  acquiring 
language  is  very  great,  fully  equalling  if 
not  surpassing  that  of  the  Parrot,  for  he 
will  store  together  sentence  after  sentence 
which  he  hears,  repeating  them  from  time 
to  time,  with  the  same  decision  in  which 
they  were  spoken  and  with  great  clear- 
ness and  beauty. 


MAGPIE.  201 

He  is,  however,  to  counterbalance  his 
good  qualities  as  great  a  thief  as  the  crow, 
of  whom  we  have  before  spoken.  Some 
of  his  thefts  are  historical.  One  of 
these  is  told  in  the  almost  fatal  story  of 
the  "Magpie  and  the  Maid,"  which  has 
been  the  foundation  of  so  many  dramas 
and  operas,  frequently  performed  in  the 
theatres  of  America  and  Europe. 

The  Magpie  is  kept  with  little  difficulty, 
as  he  will  live  upon  every  thing  given  to 
him,  no  matter  of  what  character.  He 
lives  to  an  extremely  great  age,  some  say 
two  hundred  years,  on  which  belief  a 
laughable  anecdote  occurred.  A  student 
of  one  of  the  English  colleges,  who  was 
seen  taking  a  young  Pie  which  he  had 
bought,  to  his  apartment,  was  met  and 
asked  by  one  of  his  tutors,  his  reason  for 
having  made  the  purchase.  He  replied  he 
had  heard  it  stated  "that  Magpies  lived 
two  centuries,  and  so  had  bought  one,  in 
order  to  test  the  truth  of  the  assertion!" 


PART  VI. 
JAYS. — Garruli. 

CHAPTER  I. 

BLUE  JAY. — Garrulus  cristatus. 

THE  Blue  Jay,  so  poetically  entitled  by 
Audubon  "The  fop  of  the  forest,"  is  a  well 
known  inhabitant,  in  a  wild  state,  of  the 
extensive  forests  of  the  whole  of  North 
America;  and  is  frequently  seen  as  a  cage- 
bird  in  our  inland  and  larger  cities. 

His  colour  is  by  far  his  best  recommen- 
dation; since  his  song,  though  in  some 
particulars  sweet,  is  more  noisy  than  har- 
monious. In  confinement,  he  becomes 
almost  entirely  changed;  and  he,  like  his 
close  relatives  in  manners  and  habits,  the 
Jack-daw,  Magpie,  Crow — and  his  proto- 


BLUE  JAY.  9Q3 

type  the  British  Jay,  becomes  noted  for 
his  imitative  talent,  which  in  some  few 
cultivated  instances  is  scarcely  inferior  to 
that  of  the  Mocking-bird;  and  he  be- 
comes so  sociable  and  familiar,  that  he 
may  be  allowed  to  travel  over  the  house. 
He  is  equally  as  notorious  for  pilfering  and 
hiding  every  thing  in  his  reach  as  his 
above-mentioned  kinsmen. 

In  the  cage,  the  Jay  may  be  fed  upon 
seeds  of  different  kinds,  as  canary  and 
hemp,  of  which  latter,  from  its  oily  cha- 
racter, he  is  extremely  fond,  and  any  other 
substance,  animal  or  vegetable.  The  first 
had  better  be  chopped  fine,  and  the  latter 
cooked.  Eggs,  when  given  to  him,  must 
be  boiled  hard.  He  is  likewise  partial  to 
chestnuts,  acorns  and  maize,  or  Indian- 
corn,  either  in  a  green  or  dry  state,  which 
in  the  last  instance,  he  invariably  breaks 
before  swallowing. 

The  Blue  Jay  may  occasionally  be  ob- 
tained of  our  bird-fanciers,  or  be  reared 
from  the  nests,  which  may  always  be  found 


204  BLUE  JAY- 

within  a  few  miles  of  the  city.  When 
thus  raised  he  must  be  fed  upon  raw  beef, 
veal,  mutton  or  lamb,  chopped  fine  and 
soaked  in  milk.  He  should  be  allowed  a 
profusion  of  water  and  an  abundance  of 
gravel. 


BOOK  III, 

INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. — Insectivores. 

CHAPTER  I. 

On  the  general  characteristics  of  Insectivorous 
Birds. 

THE  birds  of  this  order  are  not  so  highly 
celebrated  for  docility  as  those  of  the 
granivorous  or  omnivorous  tribes,  per- 
haps because  but  few  attempts  have  been 
made  on  their  education.  Yet  we  have 
no  doubt  they  are  equally  as  susceptible 
of  that  process  as  the  others,  though  un- 
doubtedly it  would  prove  a  more  difficult 
task,  owing  to  the  natural  wildness  of  the 
order,  and  the  difficulty  and  in  many 
instances  impossibility  of  breeding  them 
in  confinement. 
18 


206  INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 

The  song  of  the  generality  of  birds  be- 
longing to  this  tribe,  is  in  common  har- 
monious and  agreeable,  and  in  some  few 
instances,  as  in  the  Mocking  and  Minor- 
birds,  the  Nightingale  and  the  various 
species  of  the  Thrushes,  surpasses  any 
thing  like  rivalry.  Their  food  in  a  state 
of  nature,  consists  principally  and  almost 
wholly  of  insects,  and  entirely  so  during 
the  period  of  incubation.  To  this  is  added 
berries  of  various  kinds,  but  we  ourselves 
are  certain,  and  in  that  opinion  are  sup- 
ported by  the  most  distinguished  natural- 
ists, that  these  are  only  and  occasionally 
used  as  an  aliment,  when  insects  are 
scarce  and  difficult  to  be  procured. 

In  the  wild  state  many  of  the  species 
rear  several  broods,  generally  not  more 
than  two,  during  a  season,  dwelling  indis- 
criminately in  woods  and  thickets,  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  farm-house,  or 
among  reeds,  where  they  are  always 
found  in  solitary  pairs.  In  the  time 
of  migration,  in  autumn,  some  kinds 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS.  201 

depart  in  large  flocks,  while  others  leave 
singly  and  in  an  almost  imperceptible 
manner.  On  this  and  indeed  on  almost 
every  continent,  with  the  single  exception 
here  of  the  Robin,  they  are  extremely 
tender,  leaving  us  before,  or  about  the 
time  of  the  commencement  of  frosts. 


DIVISION  I. 

FOREIGN  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

THRUSHES. — Turdi. 

CHAPTER  I. 

EUROPEAN  BLACKBIRD. — Turdus  merula. 

THIS  beautiful  and  highly  appreciated 
bird  is  at  once  the  largest,  and  one  of  the 
sweetest  songsters  of  his  tribe,  which  are 
found  in  confinement.  His  song,  which  is 
clear  and  thrillingly  sweet  in  its  cadences, 
strongly  resembles  the  mellow  breathings 
of  the  flute;  and  is  heard  from  the  summit 
of  a  tall  bush  or  tree,  from  among  the  low 
thickets  which  he  frequents,  and  which 


EUROPEAN  BLACKBIRD.  2Q9 

line  the  lane  sides  or  farm-fences  in  his 
native  country.  This  is  given  principally 
from  day-dawn  until  near  mid-day,  and 
abounds  in  spirit  and  variety. 

In  the  cage,  where  he  is  highly  esteem- 
ed, he  becomes  very  docile,  and  may  be 
readily  taught  to  whistle  tunes,  which  he 
does  with  the  greatest  clearness  and  preci- 
sion. Here,  he  is  a  greater  favourite  thaji 
the  Thrush;  but  from  his  pugnacious 
character,  he  should  never  be  associated 
with  other  birds,  it  being  proper  to  keep 
him  always  alone,  and  in  a  large  and 
roomy  cage.  In  a  collection  of  birds, 
from  his  peculiar  character,  the  soft  mel- 
low song  of  the  Blackbird  is  particularly 
distinct  among  the  sharp  trilling  voices 
peculiar  to  the  family  of  Finches. 

The  treatment  of  this  songster  must  be 
the  same  as  that  prescribed  hereinafter  for 
the  Mocking-bird,  both  as  regards  food 
and  the  cure  of  disease. 

The  Blackbird  may  frequently  be  ob- 
tained from  our  best  fanciers,  or  from  the 
18* 


210  THRUSH. 

mates  and  sailors  of  European  trading 
vessels.  Their  prices  vary  from  ten  to 
twenty  dollars. 

The  colour  of  the  male  is  wholly  black, 
with  the  bill,  mouth  and  eye-lids  of  a  deep 
yellow.  The  female  is  a  brown  colour, 
which  is  rusty  in  appearance  on  her  breast 
and  belly.  The  bill  is  likewise  dusky  and 
the  legs  are  brown. 


CHAPTER  II. 

EUROPEAN,  OR  ENGLISH  THRUSH. — Turdus 
musicus. 

The  Irish  or  English  Thrush,  as  he  is 
most  commonly  called  in  this  country, 
and  in  his  own  indifferently  the  Mavis,  the 
Throstle,  or  the  Song  Thrush,  is  one  of 
the  most  delicious  songsters  in  existence. 
He  is  easily  distinguished  among  all  other 


THRUSH. 

birds,' by  the  superior  clearness  and  ful- 
ness of  his  note,  which  is  charming,  not 
only  for  its  concentrated  sweetness,  but 
for  its  constantly  changing  variety.  His 
song  is  given  in  a  wild  state  from  a  very 
early  portion  of  the  spring  to  the  latter 
part  of  the  summer,  and  is  continued 
throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  day; 
though,  as  with  most  other  birds,  his  notes 
possess  more  power  and  depth  in  the  early 
part  of  the  morning. 

In  England,  as  a  cage-bird,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Nightingale,  he  is  the 
most  esteemed  of  all  the  British  songsters; 
although  possessing  less  romance  of  cha- 
racter than  that  bird,  yet  his  song  has 
more  of  that  rustic  vigour  and  matter  of 
fact  than  the  latter  owns,  who  as  it  were 
possesses  the  refinement  and  beauty  of 
cultivated,  while  the  other  abounds  in  that 
of  uneducated  genius.  These  two  song- 
sters, in  comparison,  may  be  called  the 
Pope  and  Burns  of  the  feathered  race. 

His  treatment  should  be  the  same  as 


212  THRUSH. 

that  of  the  Mocking-bird.  His  prices 
vary  from  six  to  fifteen  dollars  in  this 
country,  entirely  on  account  of  greater  or 
less  richness  or  vigour  of  voice.  The 
native  notes  of  this  bird  are  so  fine,  that 
although  he  is  capable  of  acquiring,  he  is 
never  taught  airs,  which  in  this  case 
would  be  really  a  sacrilegious  perversion 
of  nature. 

His  colours  are  very  similar  to,  but 
deeper  than  those  of  our  Wood  Thrush, 
(Turdus  melodus^)  a  songster  of  rich 
and  sweet,  but  melancholy  tone  of  voice. 
These  are  a  reddish-brown  on  the  upper 
part  of  the  body,  while  the  breast  and 
sides  of  the  bird  are  beautifully  and  regu- 
larly marked  with  spots  of  a  dark  brown, 
on  a  creamy-white  ground.  The  throat 
is  pure  white,  and  the  eye  of  the  bird 
hazel,  remarkable  for  its  vivacity  of  ex- 
pression. 


213 

CHAPTER  HI. 

MINOR-BIRD. — Turdus  minor. 

This  large  and  handsome  East  Indian 
bird,  is  frequently  found  in  this  country, 
to  which  he  is  brought  by  our  "homeward- 
bound"  vessels,  and  where  he  brings  ex- 
travagant prices.  He  is  a  true  Thrush  in 
all  his  manners  and  habits,  and  is  equally 
celebrated  for  the  loudness  and  almost 
overpowering  vivacity  of  his  song,  for  the 
ease  and  beauty  with  which  he  imitates 
the  songs  of  different  birds  and  musical 
composition,  and  for  his  talent  for  ac- 
quiring knguage. 

In  the  cage  he  is  likewise  easily  kept, 
being  fed  upon  the  same  food  as  our 
Thrushes  and  Mocking-birds,  and  is  as 
docile  and  affectionate  to  his  owner  and 
the  different  members  of  the  family,  whom 
he  soon  learns  to  distinguish.  Here  he 


214  MINOR-BIRD. 

requires  plenty  of  water  for  bathing,  and 
an  abundant  supply  of  gravel. 

A  fine  song-bird  of  this  species  is  worth 
from  twenty  to  fifty  dollars. 


PART  II. 

WARBLERS. — Sylvia. 

CHAPTER  I. 

ROBIN,  OR  RED-BREAST. — Sylvia  rubicola. 

THIS  favourite  and  familiar  little  bird, 
known  to  almost  every  reader  as  the 
Robin  Red-breast  of  the  story  of  the 
"Babes  in  the  Wood,"  is  another  native 
of  Europe,  who  we  only  occasionally  see 
in  confinement  in  this  country.  In  Eng- 
land, he  is  everywhere  held  in  respect 
and  esteem,  and  is  known  by  the  most 
endearing  appellations.  There,  where  he 
is  quite  hardy,  he  becomes  so  sociable  in 
winter  as  to  tap  at  the  window  and  claim 
the  protection  of  man.  Entering  the  house 
and  perching  upon  the  table,  he  seeks  out 


216  ROBIN. 

for  crumbs  to  enable  him  to  sustain  life; 
or  hops  around  the  door,  and  finds  his 
food  in  social  community  with  the  domes- 
tic fowls.  We  extract  a  passage  from  a 
well  known  author,  illustrating  the  pecu- 
liarity of  character  in  this  bird. 

"The  Red-breast  sacred  to  the  household  gods, 
Wisely  regardful  of  the  embroiling  sky 
In  joyless  fields  and  thorny  thickets  leaves 
His  shivering  mates,  and  pays  to  trusted  man 
His  annual  visit.     Half  afraid,  he  first 
Against  the  window  beats;  then  brisk  alights 
On  the  warm  hearth;  then,  hopping  o'er  the  floor, 
Eyes  all  the  smiling  family  askance, 
And  pecks,  and  starts,  and  wonders  where  he  is; 
'Till  more  familiar  grown,  the  table  crumbs 
Attract  his  slender  feet." 

His  colours  though  not  beautiful,  are 
neat  and  striking,  he  being  a  rich  brown 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  body,  and  on  the 
head,  which  passes  off  into  a  greenish- 
olive  shade;  while  the  breast  and  throat 
are  reddish-orange,  varying  into  a  pure 
white  on  the  lower  extremities. 


ROBIN.  217 

He  is  easily  kept  on  the  same  food 
as  our  Mocking-bird,  and  becomes  very 
social,  coming  at  call  and  perching  him- 
self upon  his  owner's  hand  and  singing  at 
the  word  of  command. 


19 


PART  III. 

NIGHTINGALES. — Currucce. 

CHAPTER  I. 

ENGLISH  NIGHTINGALE. — Curruca  luscinia. 

OF  all  birds,  this  little  favourite  pos- 
sesses the  greatest  reputation  as  a  song- 
ster. Inhabiting  the  whole  of  the  Euro- 
pean and  Asiatic  continents,  he  is  every- 
where the  theme  of  the  poet's  empassioned 
song,  and  the  object  of  attachment. 
Shakspeare  and  Byron  of  the  west,  and 
Hafiz,  Ferdousi  and  the  thousand  other 
poets  of  the  east,  have  elevated  the 
"Bulbul  of  a  thousand  songs"  into  a  kind 
of  god-like  immortality.  With  the  rose 
among  flowers,  the  Nightingale  is  asso- 
ciated among  birds,  and  if  all  the  descrip- 


NIGHTINGALE.  219 

tions  which  poets  and  historians  have 
given  to  us  of  this  wonderful  songster  be 
true,  he  well  deserves  his  pre-eminence. 

His  song  is  said  to  commence  at  sun- 
set, when  all  the  rest  of  the  world  is 
slowly  sinking  into  silence;  and,  as  the 
last  rays  of  the  red-sun  fall  on  the  moun- 
tain tops,  and  the  crested  coronals  of  the 
lofty  forest  trees,  crowning  them  as  it 
were  with  a  halo  of  flame,  it  rises  in  its 
fullest  perfection.  Then,  the  Nightingale 
from  his  perch,  warbles  on  until  the  God 
of  day  rises  in  the  east.  His  song  is  at 
once  most  melodious  and  expressive,  now 
swelling  into  loudness  and  splendour  of 
tone,  it  the  next  instant  sinks  into  the 
most  soothing  softness  and  exquisitiveness 
of  expression;  or,  is  low,  faint  and  mur- 
muring as  the  last  dying  tones  of  a  far 
distant  echo,  and  then  bursting  into  vio- 
lent and  rapid  articulation,  he  breathes  at 
once  anger,  passion,  love,  delight  and  joy, 
in  the  constant  and  ever  varying  changes 
which  he  pours  out,  like  water  ever  gush- 


220  NIGHTINGALE. 

ing  from  a  spring,  on  the  ear  of  night. 
How  beautiful  is  Byron's  description  of 
the  song  of  this  bird,  in  his  never-to-be- 
forgotten  "Bride  of  Abydos!" 

"The  live-long  night  there  sings 

A  bird  unseen — but  not  remote: 
Invisible  his  airy  wings, 
But  soft  as  harp  that  Houri  strings 

His  long  enchanting  note! 
It  were  the  bulbul;  but  his  throat 

Though  mournful,  pours  not  such  a  strain: 
For  they  who  listen  cannot  leave 
The  spot,  but  linger  there  and  grieve 

As  if  they  loved  in  vain! 
And  yet  so  sweet  the  tears  they  shed, 
'Tis  sorrow  so  unmixed  with  dread, 
They  scarce  can  bear  the  morn  to  break 

That  melancholy  spell, 
And  longer  yet  would  weep  and  wake, 

He  sings  so  wild  and  well! 
But  when  the  day-blush  bursts  from  high 
Expires  that  magic  melody ! 

And  again  how  powerful,  and  yet  how 
sweet,  is  the  tale  of  the  Prince  Menaphon 
to  his  cousin  Amethus,  in  Ford's  (one  of 


NIGHTINGALE.  221 

the  old  English  poets,)  "Lovers'  Melan- 
choly." 

"Men.     I  day  by  day  frequented  silent  groves 
And  solitary  walks.     One  morning  early 
This  accident  encountered  me:  I  heard 
The  sweetest  and  most  ravishing  contention 
That  art  and  nature  ever  were  at  strife  in. 

•P- 
•Amet.     I  cannot  yet  conceive  what  you  infer 

By  art  and  nature  ? 

Men.  I  shall  soon  resolve  you. 

A  sound  of  music  touch'd  mine  ears,  or  rather, 

Indeed,  entranced  my  soul:  as  I  stole  nearer, 

Invited  by  the  melody,  I  saw 

This  youth,  this  fair  faced  youth,  upon  his  lute, 

With  strains  of  strange  variety  and  harmony, 

Proclaiming,  as  it  seemed,  so  bold  a  challenge 

To  the  clear  choristers  of  the  woods,  the  birds, 

That,  as  they  flock'd  about  him,  all  stood  silent, 

Wond'ring  at  what  they  heard.    I  wonder'd  too. 

Jlmet.     And  so  do  I;  good!  on — 

Men.  A  Nightingale, 

Nature's  best  skill'd  musician,  undertakes 

The  challenge,  and  for  every  several  strain 


222  NIGHTINGALE. 

The  well  shaped  youth  could  touch,  she  sung  her 

own; 

He  could  not  run  division  with  more  art 
Upon  his  quaking  instrument,  than  she, 
The  Nightingale,  did  with  her  various  notes 
Reply  to;  for  a  voice,  and  for  a  sound, 
Amethus,  'tis  much  easier  to  believe 
That  such  they  were,  than  hope  to  hear  again. 

*flmet.     How  did  the  rivals  part? 

Men.  You  term  them  rightly; 

For  they  were  rivals,  and  their  mistress,  har- 
mony. 
Some  time  thus  spent,  the  young  man  grew  at 

last 

Into  a  pretty  anger,  that  a  bird 
Whom   art  had   never  taught    cliffs,  moods,  or 

notes, 

Should  vie  with  him  for  mastery,  whose  study 
Had  busied  many  hours  to  perfect  practice: 
To  end  the  controversy,  in  a  rapture 
Upon  the  instrument  he  plays  so  swiftly, 
So  many  voluntaries  and  so  quick, 
That  there  was  curiosity  and  cunning, 
Concord  and  discord,  lines  of  differing  method 
Meeting  in  one  centre  of  full  delight. 

Jlmet.     Now  for  the  bird. 


NIGHTINGALE.  223 

Men.  The  bird  ordained  to  be 

Music's  first  martyr,  strove  to  imitate 

These  several  sounds;  which,  when  her  warbling 

throat 

Fail'd  in,  for  grief,  down  dropped  she  on  his  lute, 
And  brake  her  heart! 

We  clip  from  the  ably  edited  "Inquirer" 
of  May  23, 1842,  the  following  notice  ofthe 
death,  in  a  similar  manner  to  Ford's  grace- 
ful description,  of  one  of  these  delightful 
birds  in  Richmond,  Virginia.  Who  can 
now  say  that  poetry  is  not  the  eloquence 
of  truth. 

"One  of  the  admired  Nightingales  we 
spoke  a  few  days  ago  of  having  been  in- 
vited to  hear,  sang  itself  to  death  one  or 
two  mornings  since.  The  two  were  in 
separate  cages,  suspended,  one  in  the 
porch,  the  other  in  an  adjacent  room. 
They  appeared  to  be  engaged  in  a  trial  of 
their  musical  powers,  and  were  exerting 
all  their  strength,  rattling  their  wings, 
ruffling  their  feathers,  jumping  about  their 
cages,  varying  and  swelling  their  songs, 


224  NIGHTINGALE. 

until  the  whole  air  seemed  filled  with  the 
sweet  volumes  they  uttered.  This  they 
continued  for  some  time,  when  one  of 
them  fainted  away  and  died.  His  little 
heart  seemed  to  have  swelled  with  the 
spirit  of  song  until  it  bursted,  and  his  soul 
passed  away.  It  was  truly  touching  to 
see  the  sweet  warbler  die  thus,  in  the 
midst  of  his  song — and  it  was  not  wholly 
unnatural  to  indulge  a  faint  idea,  that  so 
sweet  a  vocal  strain  did  not  end  with  the 
little  bird.  It  was  strongly  calculated  to 
inspire  credulity  in  the  metempsychosis, — 
and  may  not  the  spiritual  part  of  this  ex- 
traordinary feathered  vocalist  yet  inhabit 
the  body  of  some  Malibran?  Who  knows?" 
"The  above  is  from  the  Richmond  Com- 
piler. We  regard  it  as  touching  and  beau- 
tiful. The  incident  would  form  a  fine 
theme  for  a  poet.  The  Death  Song  of  the 
Nightingale!  The  disembodied  spirit  of 
Mrs.  Hemans,  or  of  Miss  Laiidon,  should 
be  invoked  for  such  a  strain!  Daughters 
of  genius,  who  may  forget  them!  They 


NIGHTINGALE.  225 

also  expired  amidst  the  sounds  of  their 
own  melody.  The  gift  of  poetry  was  to 
them  like  the  power  of  music  to  the  ambi- 
tious bird.  They  soared  away  from  earth 
and  earthly  things — on — on — through  the 
blue  depths  of  a  world  of  their  own  crea- 
tion. May  we  not  hope  that  as  the  im- 
mortal parted  from  the  mortal,  the  former, 
as  angelic  spirits,  passed  into  a  holier  and 
heavenlier  state,  and  became  beings  of  a 
world  where  all  is  music,  and  poesy,  and 
praise,  and  harmony." 

The  accompanying  elegant  comments 
in  the  concluding  paragraph,  are  from  the 
pen  of  one  of  our  most  gifted  and  graceful 
poets,  Robert  Morris,  of  Philadelphia,  who, 
though  possessed  of  fire  and  genius  suf- 
ficient for  a  far  more  arduous  task,  in- 
vokes the  spirits  of  the  hallowed  dead  to 
breathe  forth  such  a  strain.  These  and 
their  golden  lyres  are  now  breathing  a 
purer  melody  in  a  better  world,  but  we, 
though  possessing  none  of  their  talents,  in 
all  modesty  accept  the  challenge,  and  pre- 


926  NIGHTINGALE. 

sent  our  readers  with  the  following  trifling 
poem. 

THE  DEATH  OF  THE  NIGHTINGALE. 

Forth  in  that  last  glad  strain ! 

Thy  swelling  soul  burst  forth  and  fled  away, 
While  on  the  earth  reposed 

Thy  silent  clay. 

'Twas  sweet,  full  sweet  to  die 

Amid  the  music  of  thine  own  glad  heart; 
To  burst  the  chords  of  life 

And  so  depart. 

But  where,  sweet  one  !  oh !  where 

Hath  fled  thy  gentle  soul?     Unto  that  heaven, 
Where  rose  thy  hymn  so  sweet, 

At  close  of  even  ? 

Or  in  some  kindred  form 

Doth  it  repose,  'till  twilight's  quiet  hour 
Shall  call  it  forth  again, 

With  sweeter  power? 

Or  'mid  the  scenes  so  loved, 

Dost  thou  now  wander  on  ethereal  wing, 
And  through  the  moon-lit  groves, 

Flit  sorrowing? — 


NIGHTINGALE.  227 

When  in  the  deep  midnight 

My  steps  have  wandered  'neath  the  arching 

trees, 
Oft  have  I  heard  sweet  sounds 

Float  on  the  breeze. 

And  then,  enwrapt,  I  thought 

Them  lays  of  disembodied  souls  of  those 
Whose  sylvan  songs  to  God 

All  pure  uprose! 

Perchance,  whene'er  again 

I  seek  the  woods,  upon  my  wond'ring  ear 
May  fall  thy  spirit  song, 

In  accents  clear. — 

Thine  was  a  hapless  end; 

For  like  to  fire,  thy  love  of  song  consumed 
Thy  own  pure  heart,  and  thou 

Didst  die  self-doomed! 

Thine  was  the  death  of  those 

Who  seek  for  earthly  fame,  and  wildly  crave 
Men's  worship  here,  but  find 

A  nameless  grave. 
Better  to  look  on  high, 

With  hopes  and  thoughts  to  One,  Almighty 

given, 
And  immortality 

Is  thine  in  heaven! 


228  NIGHTINGALE. 

In  the  cage,  the  Nightingale  may  be 
treated  like  any  of  the  Thrush  tribe.  For 
this  purpose  he  is  generally  raised  from 
the  nest,  or  caught  in  nets,  or  trap-cages, 
or  by  means  of  limed  twigs.  The  first 
are  ever  the  best  birds. 

His  price  in  America  is  from  forty  to 
sixty  dollars,  and  even  at  that,  though 
seemingly  exorbitant,  obtained  with  diffi- 
culty. 


DIVISION  II, 

NATIVE  BIRDS. 

PART  I. 

MOCKING-THRUSHES. — Mimi. 

CHAPTER  I. 

MOCKING-BIRD. — Mimus  poly  glottis. 

THIS  every  where  esteemed  and  beauti- 
ful Thrush,  whose  musical  talents  are  so 
highly  appreciated  in  this  country  and 
Europe,  is  a  native  bird,  unrivalled  for 
grandeur  and  power  of  song  by  any  other 
in  the  known  world.  He  is  found  in  his 
natural  condition  from  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania to  the  Rocky  Mountains;  in  fact, 
20 


230  MOCKING-BIRD. 

he  is  seen  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Paci- 
fic Ocean  as  far  south  as  the  interior  of 
Brazil.  He  is  occasionally  now,  though 
rarely,  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia, 
whence  he  has  been  gradually  driven  by 
a  constant  pursuit,  which  arose  from  the 
great  price  constantly  demanded  and  ob- 
tained for  him,  from  the  fancier.  In  fact, 
from  this  cause,  scarcely  a  square  in  any 
one  of  our  large  cities  has  not  at  least 
one,  and  frequently  as  many  as  a  dozen 
cages,  suspended  from  the  windows  of 
gentlemen's  mansions. 

It  would  be  unnecessary  in  our  limited 
work  to  describe  the  appearance  of  this 
bird,  which  is  more  remarkable  for  plain- 
ness and  intelligence  than  for  any  extra- 
ordinary beauty.  In  the  cage  as  well  as 
in  the  wood,  his  every  motion  is  ease  and 
gracefulness  itself,  combined  with  a  light- 
ness and  rapidity  of  motion  which  is 
amusing  to  the  spectator,  from  its  resem- 
blance to  caprice  and  an  apparent  co- 
quettishness  of  demeanour. 


MOCKING-BIRD.  231 

Now,  with  his  head  bent  upon  one  side, 
and  an  arch  and  shrewd  expression  light- 
ing up  his  eye,  he  is  seated  almost  mo- 
tionless upon  his  perch,  quietly  gathering 
the  sounds  which  arise  to  his  elevated 
position  from  the  street  beneath.  In  an 
instant  he  is  changed,  "and  such  a 
change !" — With  outspread  wings  ^  and 
flirted  tail,  he  flits  from  side  to  side  and 
perch  to  perch,  like  an  empassioned  but 
earnest  troubadour,  pouring  forth  Kis 
whole  soul  in  song. 

In  a  wild  state,  his  notes,  from  the  ten 
thousand  opportunities  constantly  offered, 
are  much  finer  than  in  a  state  of  domesti- 
cation. There,  where  the  wild  hymns  of 
the  forest  choir  are  constantly  ringing  in 
his  ears,  he  has  ample  scope  for  his  imita- 
tive powers.  The  song  which  these  pro- 
duce is  unsurpassed  except  by  his  native 
notes,  which  are  replete  with  vigour, 
boldness,  sweetness,  energy  and  constant 
and  inimitable  variation.  In  the  forest, 
like  the  leader  of  an  orchestra,  or  some 


232  MOCKING-BIRD. 

accomplished  musician,  he  sits  upon  a 
lofty  twig,  with  the  whole  feathered  race 
around  pouring  out  their  varied  perform- 
ances, as  an  accompaniment  to  his  song; 
forming  on  the  whole,  one  of  the  grandest 
overtures  which  the  human  mind  is  capa- 
ble of  appreciating.  These  wild  notes  of 
his  own  are  noted  for  their  expression  and 
beauty,  and  consist  of  short  sentences  of 
two,  or  three,  or  four  syllables,  which  are 
mingled  with  imitations,  and  given  with 
such  ardour  as  to  fill  the  breast  of  the 
listener  with  admiration. 

But  in  the  cage,  to  which  he  soon  be- 
comes accustomed,  he  is  better  known  as 
a  songster.  Here,  fully  as  happy  as  in 
his  woodland  home,  his  intelligence  and 
genius  have  ample  scope;  and  he  spreads, 
by  their  exertion,  a  feeling  of  joy  and  hap- 
piness around.  Day  by  day,  and  night  by 
night,  he  is  unceasing  in  his  song;  cloudy 
or  clear  weather  is  the  same  to  him;  he  is 
the  Shakspeare  of  nature,  and  his  genius 
never  sleeps.  I  have  set  in  my  chamber 


MOCKING-BIRD.  233 

many  a  morning,  when  the  first  tints  of 
light  were  struggling  into  being,  in  the 
grey  and  misty  looking  east,  while  the 
stars  were  yet  peering  from  their  shadowy 
homes  down  on  the  quiet  abodes  of  man, 
and  raising  my  window  suffered  the  cool 
breeze  to  steal  through  my  heated  apart- 
ment. Suddenly,  while  I  sat  in  reverie, 
the  distant  scream  of  an  eagle  burst  on 
my  ear,  and  I  started  up,  putting  aside 
the  branches  of  flowers  which  stood  on 
the  window-ledge,  and  gazed  far  away 
round  the  blue  horizon  to  catch  a  glimpse 
of  the  royal  bird.  Then  came  the  mellow 
song  of  the  Robin,  the  "hear  beauty,  hear," 
of  the  Blue-bird,  the  fifing  "whittoo,  wittu, 
vittu,"  of  the  Scarlet  Cardinal,  and  the 
shrill  cry  of  the  Kildeer,  "killdee,  killdee," 
which  is  given  as  it  flutters  wildly  around 
the  head  of  the  intruder  in  the  vicinity  of 
his  nest.  Then  came  the  "weet-weet"  of 
the  Spotted  Sandpiper,  followed  in  the 
same  breath  by  the  hoarse  guttural  "caw, 
caw,"  of  the  Crow,  and  then  the  low, 
20* 


234  MOCKING-BIRD. 

sweet  melody  of  the  Wren,  which  in  an 
instant  changed  to  the  parental  "cluck, 
cluck"  of  the  hen,  gathering  her  young 
around  her.  Then  "whirr,  whirr,"  went  a 
watchman's  rattle,  "bow,  wow,  wow,"  the 
yelp  of  a  dog,  "meow,  meow,  phits,  pints," 
the  fighting  of  a  pair  of  cats,  "uh!  wee! 
uh!  wee!"  the  grunt  of  some  antiquated 
porker,  and  then  the  concert  closed  with 
the  rich  and  mellow  whistle  of  the  Brown 
Thrush,  dying  away .  in  the  distance. 
Such  was  my  morning's  amusement  for 
weeks  and  weeks  together,  listening  to 
the  lay  of  the  Mock-bird,  and  tracing  out 
song  after  song  as  they  were  uttered,  to 
the  original  source,  from  which  they  were 
first  derived. 

But  prose,  plain  prose  is  unequal  to  the 
task  of  giving  an  idea  of  the  capabilities 
of  this  feathered  Orpheus  of  our  forest, 
and  we  turn  to  a  lay  of  one  of  our  gifted 
poets,  which  can  better  speak  in  the  em- 
passioned  language  of  song,  those  powers 


MOCKING-BIRD.  335 

which  our  own  pen  would  be  feeble  to 
describe. 


To  THE  MOCKING-BIRD. 

BY  FRANCIS  COSBY,  JR. 

Bird  of  the  wild  and  wondrous  song! 

I  hear  thy  rich  and  varied  voice, 
Swelling  the  greenwood-depths  among 

Till  gloom  and  silence,  pleased,  rejoice ! 
Spell-bound,  entranced  in  rapture's  chain, 
We  list  to  that  inspiring  strain! 
We  tread  the  forest's  tangled  maze, 

The  thousand  choristers  to  see, 
Who  mingled  thus  their  voices  raise, 

In  that  ecstatic  minstrelsy. 
We  search  in  vain,  each  pause  between, 
The  choral  band  is  still  unseen. 

'Tis  but  the  music  of  a  dream, 

Such  as  doth  oft  our  slumbers  cheer; 

But  hark  again!  the  eagle's  scream! 
It  rose  and  fell  distinct  and  clear! 

And  list,  in  yonder  hawthorn  bush, 

The  red  bird,  robin,  and  the  thrush! 


236  MOCKING-BIRD. 

Lost  in  amaze  we  look  around, 
Nor  thrush  nor  eagle  there  behold! 

But  still  that  rich  aerial  sound, 
Like  some  forgotten  song  of  old, 

That  o'er  the  heart  hath  held  control, 

Falls  sweetly  on  the  ravished  soul. 

And  yet  the  woods  are  vocal  still, 

The  air  is  redolent  with  song — 
Up  the  hill-side,  above  the  rill 

The  wild'ring  sounds  are  borne  along! 
But  where,  ye  viewless  minstrels!  where 
Dwell  ye?  on  earth  or  upper  air? 
High  on  a  solitary  bough, 

With  glancing  wings  and  restless  feet, 
Bird  of  untiring  throat  art  thou, 

Sole  songster  in  this  concert  sweet! 
So  perfect,  full  and  rich  each  part, 
It  mocks  the  highest  reach  of  art! 

Once  more,  once  more,  that  thrilling  strain! 

Ill-omen'd  owl,  be  mute,  be  mute! 
Thy  native  notes  I  hear  again! 

More  sweet  than  harp  or  lover's  lute ! 
Compared  with  thy  impassion'd  tale, 
How  cold,  how  tame  the  nightingale! 
Alas !  capricious  is  thy  power, 

Thy  'wood  note  wild'  again  is  fled; 


MOCKING-BIRD.  337 

The  mimic  rules  the  changeful  hour, 

And  all  the  soul  of  song  is  dead ! 
But  no !  to  every  borrow'd  tone, 
He  lends  a  sweetness  all  his  own. 


On  glittering  wing,  erect  and  bright, 

With  arrowy  speed  he  darts  aloft, 
As  though  his  soul  had  ta'en  its  flight, 

In  that  last  strain  so  sad  and  soft —       ^ 
And  he  would  call  it  back  to  life, 
To  mingle  in  the  mimic  strife. 
And  aye  in  every  fitful  lay 

His  frame  in  restless  motion  wheels, 
As  though  he  would  indeed  essay 

To  act  the  ecstacy  he  feels; 
As  though  his  very  feet  kept  time 
To  that  inimitable  chime. 

And  ever  as  the  rising  moon 

Lifts  her  bright  orb  the  trees  above, 

He  chants  his  most  melodious  tune 

While  echo  makes  through  all  the  grove; 

Perched  on  the  topmost  bough  he  sings, 

Till  all  the  forest  loudly  rings! 

The  sleeper  from  his  couch  starts  up 
To  listen  to  that  lay  forlorn, 


238  MOCKING-BIRD. 

And  he,  who  quaffs  the  midnight  cup, 
Looks  out  to  see  the  purpling  morn. 
Oh!  ever  in  the  merry  spring, 
Sweet  mimic,  let  me  hear  thee  sing! 

For  the  cage,  those  birds  raised  from 
the  nest  are  the  best  adapted;  since  they 
are  accustomed  to  the  sight  of  man  from 
the  first,  and  are  never  so  wild  as  those 
which  are  trapped  from  the  woods,  though 
the  latter  are  the  best  songsters.  The 
young  are  generally  sold  in  our  streets  at 
from  two  to  five  dollars  each,  the  pur- 
chaser running  the  risk  of  the  sex  of  the 
bird.  This,  however,  can  be  obviated  by 
observing  the  following  rule. 

The  young  male  Mocking-bird,  must 
always  be  chosen  by  the  breadth  and 
purity  of  the  white  marks  on  their  wing- 
feathers.  These,  in  the  male,  are  spread 
over  the  whole  nine  primaries,  or  outer 
wing-feathers,  down  to  and  frequently  a 
considerable  distance  below  what  is  term- 
ed their  coverts,  which  are  generally  of  a 
dusky  white,  tipped  with  pale  greyish- 


MOCKING-BIRD.  339 

brown.  This  white  mark  extends  regu- 
larly on  both  sides  of  the  feathers  down 
to  the  place  before-mentioned.  In  the 
female,  this  white  is  less  distinct,  spreads 
over  a  less  number  of  the  feathers,  and 
extends  a  much  greater  distance  on  the 
broad  than  on  the  narrow  sides  of  each. 
The  wings  besides  are  inclined  to  brown, 
which  in  the  male  are  black. 

The  best  food  for  the  young,  until  able 
to  take  care  of  themselves,  is  raw  meat, 
which  shall  be  either  beef,  mutton,  lamb 
or  veal,  never  pork,  without  any  fat,  and 
be  chopped  or  minced  fine,  and  soaked  in 
fresh  sweet  milk.  This  is  the  most  nutri- 
tious nourishment  they  could  receive,  as 
it  approximates  most  closely  to  that  which 
they  would  obtain  from  the  parent  birds, 
insects  of  various  descriptions.  Besides 
this,  Indian-meal,  mixed  to  a  thick  paste 
with  sweet  milk  or  water,  is  an  excellent 
addition,  and  must  be  fed  to  them  daily. 
When  the  birds  have  arrived  at  a  proper 
age,  and  can  feed  without  assistance,  the 


240  MOCKING-BIRD. 

same  food  may  be  continued  for  a  month, 
or  six  weeks,  supplying  them  also  with  all 
the  different  kinds  of  berries  as  they 
alternately  arrive  in  season.  They  must 
have  cherries,  straw,  black  and  whortle 
or  huckleberries,  &c.  during  the  summer 
time;  in  the  autumn  those  of  the  poke, 
alder,  dogwood  and  sour-gum,  all  of 
which  are  readily  to  be  found  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  city;  and,  during  the  winter 
season,  those  of  the  pokeberry,  which  are 
dried  for  the  purpose,  and  can  always  be 
had  at  the  best  seed  warehouses,  and  of 
the  Virginia  juniper,  or  red  cedar.  At 
this  latter  time,  they  may  receive  soaked 
currants,  raisins  and  slices  of  mellow 
fruits,  such  as  apples,  pears  and  peaches. 
They  will  likewise  eat  rice,  boiled  soft  in 
milk  and  sweetened,  which  is  very  nutri- 
tious. 

They  should  also  have  insects  of  va- 
rious kinds,  as  grasshoppers  and  beetles, 
on  every  possible  occasion.  Spiders  and 
meal-worms,  which  last  can  be  obtained  at 


MOCKING-BIRD.  241 

any  granary,  will  immediately  revive  them, 
if  given  when  they  are  either  drooping  or 
sick.  Boiled  egg  is  also  excellent. 

The  Mocking-bird,  when  caught  in  an 
adult  state,  should  be  placed  at  once  in  a 
cage,  which  should  be  covered  at  the  top 
with  wood,  and  entirely  round  the  sides 
with  a  linen  cloth.  This  should  remain 
for  a  few  days;  during  this  time  allowing 
him  space  for  air.  Then  it  may  be  re- 
moved. The  covered  top  prevents  him 
from  injuring  himself  in  his  vain  attempts 
to  escape;  for  birds  will  always  make  the 
most  zealous  exertions  to  get  out  from 
the  loftiest  part  of  their  place  of  confine- 
ment. 

This  apparently  wild  bird  may  be  readi- 
ly taught  to  breed  in  confinement;  and  if 
the  proper  rules  are  observed,  he  will  do 
so  as  safely  and  as  certainly  as  he  would 
in  his  native  woods. 

A  room  should  be  partitioned  off  ten  or 
twelve    feet    square,   with    one    window, 
which  should  be  covered  on  the  outside 
21 


242  MOCKING-BIRD. 

with  a  wire  bow;  the  whole  being  in  a 
lofty,  quiet  and  undisturbed  position.  In 
the  centre  of  this,  immediately  opposite 
the  window,  should  be  placed  in  a  box  of 
earth  a  "straggly"  growing,  well  limbed 
juniper  or  red  cedar  tree.  The  earth 
must  be  kept  tolerably  moist,  so  that  the 
tree  may  continue  in  a  healthy  state. 
Building  materials,  such  as  short,  very 
slender  twigs,  wool,  deer's  hair,  &c.  must 
be  scattered  loosely  around  the  room  on 
the  floor,  which  should  be  well  and  deeply 
gravelled.  After  this  is  done,  your  birds, 
who  may  be  kept  together  for  some  time 
before,  may  be  placed  in  the  apartment, 
which  should  also  have  two  or  three  limbs 
of  trees,  so  arranged  that  they  can  find 
plenty  of  perches.  The  partition  should 
be  disposed  somewhat  after  the  manner 
of  Venetian  blinds,  to  afford  ventilation, 
and  the  slats  should  be  painted  of  a  green 
colour.  If  convenient,  some  shrubbery, 
that  will  stand  a  partial  shade,  should  be 
placed  around  its  sides,  as  the  closest 


MOCKING-BIRD.  043 

approach  to  a  state  of  nature  will  be  the 
surest  means  of  success. 

The  birds,  if  fed  every  other  day  with 
a  little  of  the  mixture  prescribed  for  the 
Canary  in  a  like  situation,  or  on  hard- 
boiled  eggs,  with  a  little  chopped  raw 
beef,  and  insects,  when  they  can  be  ob- 
tained, will  soon  commence  building^ 

When  they  are  breeding  they  must  be 
as  little  disturbed  as  possible;  their  food 
and  water  being  placed  in  their  room 
through  a  door  in  the  side,  without  the 
tender  being  seen,  and  all  persons  kept 
away  from  their  vicinity. 

When  the  young  are  hatched,  the  old 
birds  may  have  a  paste  composed  of  milk 
and  Indian-meal,  for  the  purpose  of  feed- 
ing their  progeny;  and  as  the  latter  ad- 
vance in  growth  they  should  be  supplied 
with  a  profusion  of  berries  of  different 
kinds. 

The  female  always  lays  five  eggs,  which 
must  never  be  touched  during  the  opera- 


244  MOCKING-BIRD. 

tion  of  sitting;  for  if  the  eggs  be  thus  dis- 
turbed, she  will  invariably  leave  them. 

Should  you  wish  to  rear  the  young  by 
hand,  the  directions  for  that  purpose  be- 
fore laid  down  must  be  closely  followed, 
and  the  young  Mockers  fed  every  half 
hour  at  the  least.  The  old  birds  will  then 
probably,  but  not  certainly,  rear  another 
brood. 

When  diseased,  as  all  the  ailments 
which  affect  birds  are  similar,  they  may 
be  treated  like  the  Canary  in  a  similar 
situation.  But  the  Mocking-bird  is  sub- 
ject to  one  disease  which  is  incurable — it 
is  blindness,  which  generally  afflicts  him 
after  he  has  spent  six  or  seven  years 
in  confinement.  Thus  shut  out  from 
light,  he  gradually  pines  away  and  dies. 
Alas!  that  the  career  of  brilliant  genius 
should  be  always  one  of  shortness  and 
sorrow!  Man  like  the  bird  spends  his 
life  in  a  cage  of  worldliness,  looked  upon 
for  one  moment  with  admiration,  the  next 
sinking  down  beneath  the  darkness  of 


MOCKING-BIRD.  945 

poverty  to  oblivion,  as  the  other  does 
beneath  the  blindness  of  nature  to  death. 
Bird  and  Man !  are  ye  not  alike  in  your 
glory,  as  ye  are  in  your  fate? 

In  the  cage,  the  Mocking-bird  should 
be  regularly  supplied  with  water  once  a 
day,  and  if  the  weather  be  very  warm, 
twice.  In  the  latter  instance,  he  sjiould 
be  kept  in  a  situation  where  he  will  have 
plenty  of  air;  but  not  in  one  where  the 
hot  rays  of  the  sun  would  fall  for  several 
hours  together  upon  his  cage,  as  this 
would  at  once  kill  him  in  the  summer 
time,  though  in  the  winter  it  would  tend 
to  the  advancement  of  his  health.  In  the 
moulting  season,  however,  this  treatment 
must  be  changed;  the  bird  must  be  taken 
in  the  house  and  kept  warm,  quiet  and 
free  from  draughts  of  air,  which  at  that 
critical  period  are  always  very  injurious. 
This  fatal  time  for  birds  occurs  with  this 
species  about  the  commencement  of  Au- 
gust, and  continues  until  the  beginming  of 
November. 
21* 


246  MOCKING-BIRD. 

During  this  season  your  birds  should  be 
richly  fed,  and  have  as  frequently  as  pos- 
sible spiders,  which  I  before  remarked, 
were  an  excellent  revival  to  their  systems, 
and  also  grasshoppers.  These  are  their 
principal  food,  with  other  insects,  at  that 
season,  in  a  state  of  nature.  They  should 
likewise  have  meal-worms,  which  are  found 
in  granaries,  if  they  be  severely  affected. 
Another  great  requisite  is  gravel,  which 
should  be  kept  constantly  in  the  cage. 

But  that  which  is  most  important,  is 
regularity  in  the  process  of  feeding.  Your 
birds  should  be  fed  every  morning  at  the 
same  time,  and  not  one  day  at  one,  and 
the  next  at  a  different  hour.  Such  neglect 
will  render  him  dispirited  and  drooping, 
and  he  will  lose  his  song,  and  finally  pine 
away  and  die,  as  if  believing  that  the 
neglect  arose  because  his  powers  were  no 
longer  appreciated. 


247 


CHAPTER  II. 

BROWN,  OR  FERRUGINOUS  THRUSH,  OR 
THRASHER  . — Mimus  ferrugineus. 

This  large  and  beautiful  Mocker,  far 
surpassing  in  sweetness  and  variety  of 
song  the  celebrated  Throstle  or  Mavis, 
of  England,  and  scarcely  inferior  to  the 
glorious  Mocking-bird  in  voice  and  talent, 
is  another  of  the  choice,  but  too  much 
neglected  songsters  of  our  native  land, 
and  a  summer  resident  of  the  entire  con- 
tinent. 

His  colour,  which  is  handsomer  than 
that  of  the  Mocking-bird,  is  a  reddish- 
brown,  with  the  throat,  breast  and  belly 
of  a  yellowish-white,  beautifully  marked 
with  lanceolate  umbrous  spots.  Two 
bars  of  white,  edged  with  black,  ornament 
the  wings  of  this  bird,  and  give  a  neat 
effect  to  his  appearance.  His  eyes  are  of 
a  bright  yellow. 


248  BROWN  THRUSH. 

His  song  is  loud,  bold,  striking  and  full 
of  originality,  and  given,  like  that  of  the 
preceding  species,  at  all  hours  of  the  day 
and  night;  but  most  frequently  in  the 
morning. 

He  is  readily  raised  from  the  nest  on 
the  same  treatment  as  the  before-mention- 
ed bird;  and  becomes  much  more  amusing 
and  sociable  in  confinement,  and  shows 
the  warmest  attachment  for  the  person 
who  tends  and  feeds  him;  while  his  ac- 
tivity in  the  cage  amounts  almost  to 
capriciousness  and  even  seeming  petu- 
lance. 

He  should  be  kept  warm  in  the  winter, 
and  receive  the  same  articles  of  nourish- 
ment, and  the  same  treatment  when  dis- 
eased, as  the  Mocking-bird. 


249 


CHAPTER  III. 

CAT-BIRD. — Mimus  felivox. 

This  quaint,  but  beautiful  songster,  of 
the  same  tribe  as  our  Mocking-bird,  and 
so  similar  in  habit  and  manners,  is  another 
of  our  neglected  native  residents.  In  his 
song,  he  is  scarcely  inferior  to  that  well 
known  bird,  and  in  every  way  equal  to  his 
delightful  relation,  the  French  Mocking- 
bird, or  Brown  Thrush.  Possessing  as  he 
does,  at  once  all  the  varied  gifts  of  both 
these  delightful  songsters  in  an  eminent 
degree,  it  has  long  been  a  wonder  to  me 
why  his  musical  powers  have  not  been 
more  fully  appreciated.  But  so  it  is. 
Humbleness  of  colour,  united  with  the 
harsh,  scolding,  cat-like  call,  from  which  he 
derives  his  name,  and  for  which  he  is 
often  killed  by  the  ignorant  farm  boy, 
have  prevented  him  from  being  so  gene- 


250  CAT-BIRD. 

rally  known  as  his  rich,  sweet  voice,  so 
varied  in  compass,  deserves. 

His  talents  as  a  Mocker  are  also  very 
great,  and  the  description  of  the  Mocking- 
bird's song  will  very  little  exceed  a  por- 
traiture of  his  efforts,  while  the  richness 
of  his  native  notes  is  fully  equal  to  that 
of  the  Brown  Thrush.  But,  in  addition 
to  all  these,  there  is  a  quaintness  in  his 
execution,  which  abounds  in  emphasis  and 
melody,  and  is  singularly  striking  in  effect. 
He  frequently  sings  at  night,  when  every 
other  bird  save  himself  and  the  Mocking- 
bird, is  in  repose;  or  in  the  dim  hour  of 
twilight,  when  his  musical  talents  perhaps 
possess  their  fullest  power,  and  his  song 
then  "rises  and  falls  with  all  the  swell 
and  studied  cadence  of  finished  harmony." 

For  confinement,  he  may  readily  be 
caught  in  a  trap-cage,  observing,  should 
you  so  obtain  him,  the  same  treatment  as 
prescribed  for  the  Mocking-bird;  covering 
his  cage,  or  raising  him  from  the  nest  in 
the  same  way. 


CAT-BIRD.  251 

His  colour  is  a  dark  slate,  with  the 
crown  of  the  head  and  his  tail  black. 
His  motions  in  the  cage  are  strange  and 
fantastical. 

He  should  be  kept  in  a  roomy  cage, 
and  abundantly  supplied  with  water,  for 
the  purpose  of  bathing,  of  which  exercise 
he  is  excessively  fond,  dashing  about  and 
submerging  himself  until  every  feather  is 
wholly  drenched. 

His  food  may  consist  of  every  thing  of 
a  vegetable  nature,  with  the  exception  of 
unbruised  seeds.  Bread,  soaked  in  milk 
or  water,  fine  pastry,  mashed  potatoes, 
boiled  rice,  fruits  and  berries,  scalded 
corn-meal,  cakes  of  different  kinds,  and  at 
intervals  minced  flesh,  and  insects  when 
they  can  be  obtained.  Gravel  should  also 
always  be  kept  in  his  cage. 


PART  II. 

TRUE  THRUSHES. — Turdi. 
CHAPTER  I. 

AMERICAN  ROBIN. — Turdus  migratorius. 

This  common  and  social  resident,  who 
is  as  familiarly  known  to  our  countrymen 
as  his  namesake,  the  Robin  Red-breast 
of  Europe,  is  highly  esteemed  throughout 
all  sections  of  the  country,  as  a  cage-bird, 
and  a  most  delightful  songster. 

His  song,  when  in  a  wild  state,  is 
earnest,  thrilling  and  powerful;  but  in  the 
cage  it  seems  to  acquire  much  by  educa- 
tion and  association  with  civilized  nature. 
In  confinement,  he  readily  imitates  any 
sprightly  tune;  and  Wilson  describes  one, 
who  piped  with  affected  solemnity  the  dull 
and  serious  psalm  measure  of  "Old  Hun- 


AMERICAN  ROBIN.  253 

dred."  He  is  also  possessed  of  consider- 
able powers  of  mimicry,  which  is  displayed 
in  imitations  of  various  birds  of  differ- 
ent tones  and  even  characters  of  voice. 
Among  these  he  is  peculiar  in  selecting 
the  mellow  lay  of  the  Blue-bird,  the  low 
whisper  of  the  Pee-wee,  and  the  plaintive 
call  of  the  Whip-poor-will,  although  he 
finds  a  host  of  others  as  widely  differing 
to  imitate. 

In  the  cage  he  seems  jealous  of  ap- 
proach, springing  to  the  side  of  the  cage, 
and  with  either  real  or  affected  anger, 
striking  at  the  hand  which  is  pointed 
through  the  wires.  But  when  raised  from 
the  nest,  as  he  usually  is,  for  confinement, 
he  becomes  very  tame,  and  will  go  in  and 
out  of  the  house,  attend  at  table  for  his 
share  of  the  dessert,  and  hop  about  with 
perfect  freedom  and  unrestrained  confi- 
dence. When  thus  domesticated,  he  feels 
uneasy,  and  shows  considerable  peevish- 
ness, if  left  alone  or  neglected.  He  will 
22 


254  AMERICAN  ROBIN. 

likewise  articulate  plainly  the  name  by 
which  he  is  known. 

His  song  is  generally  given  in  the  early 
part  of  the  day,  and  is  most  powerful 
about  sunrise,  bursting  forth  into  full, 
loud  and  impassioned  cadences. 

His  treatment  is  that  of  the  Mocking- 
bird and  other  Thrushes,  and  if  well  at- 
tended to  he  frequently  survives  to  the 
age  of  twenty  years. 


PART  II. 

BLUE-BIRDS. — Sialice. 

CHAPTER  I. 

BLUE-BIRD. — Sialia  Wilsonii. 

THIS  beautiful  and  favourite,  though 
rather  mournful  voiced  songster,  is  an- 
other of  the  many  interesting  natives  of 
our  own  sunny  land.  To  great  beauty  of 
plumage  and  delightful  tone  of  song,  he 
adds  a  sociability  and  confidence  of  man- 
ner which  at  once  endears  him  to  the 
hearts  of  every  one.  He  may  be  called  a 
bird  of  passage,  though  he  only  departs 
from  our  homesteads  when  the  severity  of 
winter  comes  on,  and  even  then  in  its 
midst,  his  sweet  notes  are  heard  from 
some  lonely  leafless  tree,  or  high  in  air, 
a  sweet  harbinger  of  sunny  days  to  come. 


256  BLUE-BIRD. 

His  colours  are  a  bright  azure  blue  on 
the  back  and  wings,  the  primaries  of  which, 
with  his  tail,  are  black,  and  his  breast  is  a 
rich  ruddy  chestnut  hue.  His  abdomen 
and  vent  are  a  clear  snowy-white.  The 
female,  who  is  valueless,  is  paler  and  greyer 
in  hue,  with  the  breast  of  a  dusky  olivace- 
ous tint. 

We  cannot  refrain  from  giving  to  our 
readers,  the  beautiful  lines  to  this  bird 
by  our  accomplished  townsman,  David 
Paul  Brown,  Esq.  A  gentleman,  who, 
whether  at  the  bar,  of  which  he  is  one  of 
the  most  distinguished  ornaments,  or  in 
the  higher  walks  of  literature,  is  celebrated 
for  the  surpassing  powers  of  eloquence, 
and  the  high  tone  of  moral  feeling  which 
pervades  his  writings. 

THE  BLUE-BIRD. 

0,  do  you  hear  the  Blue-bird, 

The  herald  of  the  spring — 
How  cheerily  he  tunes  his  pipe, 

How  blithely  plumes  his  wing! 


BLUE-BIRD.  257 

He  breathes  the  native  note  of  praise, 

To  the  great  Source  of  Good, 
The  trees  are  vocal  with  his  lays, 

Instinct  with  gratitude. 

He  mounts  upon  his  downy  wing, 

He  cleaves  the  ambient  air, 
Inhales  the  balmy  breath  of  spring, 

And  wakes  the  world  to  prayer. 

•»• 

The  fertile  earth,  at  Nature's  voice, 

Unlock's  her  precious  store, 
And  mount  and  vale  and  plain  rejoice, 

To  greet  the  genial  hour. 

The  purling  stream,  no  longer  bound 

In  winter's  icy  chain, 
Sparkles  beneath  the  sunny  ray, 

And  freely  flows  again. 

Flows — as  life  flows  in  infancy, 

Pure,  radiant  and  serene, 
Through  flow'rs  and  fields  and  fragrant  groves 

That  animate  the  scene. 

Flows  on  till  winter  checks  its  tide, 

And  robs  it  of  its  bloom, 
Like  death,  that  in  our  youthful  pride, 

Consigns  us  to  the  tomb. 

22* 


258  BLUE-BIRD. 

Yet  man,  for  whom  these  notes  are  sung, 

For  whom  these  waters  flow, 
For  whom  this  vernal  wealth  abounds, 

The  monarch  here  below ! 

Man,  only  man !   with  lofty  brow, 

With  stubborn  heart  and  knee, 
Looks  o'er  this  smiling  universe, 

Ungrateful,  Lord,  to  thee. 

The  perils  of  the  winter  past — 

Spring,  like  a  blooming  bride, 
The  summer's  and  the  autumn's  hope, 

All  magnify  his  pride! 

There — there  he  stands — a  rebel  still, 

A  recreant  to  that  Power, 
That  murmurs  in  each  limpid  rill, 

And  breathes  in  every  flower. 

The  Blue-bird  may  be  readily  obtained 
by  means  of  trap-cages,  though  he  thrives 
best  in  confinement  when  reared  from  the 
nest.  As  he  is  one  of  our  most  common 
songsters,  his  young  may  be  found  in 
almost  any  orchard  in  which  a  hollow  or 
decayed  apple  tree  can  be  seen.  In  the 


BLUE-BIRD.  259 

holes  of  which,  from  six  to  ten  feet  from 
the  ground,  he  always  breeds.  The  young 
should  be  fed  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
young  of  the  Mocking-bird,  to  whom  he  is 
nearly  related;  and  when  of  a  sufficient 
age,  he  may  be  kept  upon  the  same  food 
as  it,  or  any  other  of  the  Thrush  tribe. 
His  diseases,  as  indeed  those  of  a&  birds, 
may  be  treated  like  the  Canary,  or  the 
last  mentioned  songster. 


260 


MODE  OF  CARRYING  BIRDS  TO  A  DISTANCE. 

Should  the  fancier  at  any  time  desire 
to  send  a  bird  of  any  description  to  a 
distant  part  of  the  country,  and  wish  it  to 
go  safely,  he  must  procure  a  small  wicker- 
fronted  cage,  about  six  or  seven  inches 
high  inside,  and  seven  or  eight  inches 
long,  with  a  hard  back,  top  and  sides. 
This  size  is  the  most  suitable,  as  it  will- 
prevent  the  bird  from  flying  about  and 
consequently  injuring  himself.  When  tra- 
velling from  place  to  place,  the  front  of 
the  cage  should  be  covered  with  a  piece 
of  gauze,  which  will  allow  the  bird  suffi- 
cient light  to  feed  himself,  and  yet  prevent 
him  from  being  alarmed  by  the  novelty  of 
the  surrounding  objects.  Instead  of  a 
water  fount,  a  sponge  should  be  put  in 
one  corner  of  the  cage,  on  which  a  little 
fresh  water  should  be  poured  every  morn- 
ing. The  birds  when  requiring  drink  will 


261 

then  press  this  with  their  bills,  and  so 
never  suffer  from  thirst,  which  were  a 
fountain  placed  in  their  cage,  they  would 
invariably  do,  as  the  water  would  be 
constantly  spilling,  and  consequently  many 
fine  birds  would  be  lost.  The  box  con- 
taining the  seed  or  other  food  may  be 
permanently  fastened  at  the  side,  &r  the 
seed  may  even  be  scattered  over  the  bot- 
tom. 


APPENDIX. 

CHAPTER  I. 

PARROT  TRIBE. — Psittaci. 

The  Parrots,  who  are  a  widely  esteemed 
and  superb  species  of  birds,  are  natives 
of  the  greater  portion  of  the  world.  In 
North  America  we  have  but  one  kind,  the 
Carolina  Parakeet,  (Conurus  Carolinensis^) 
one  of  the  most  gorgeous  of  the  whole 
magnificent  tribe.  This  is  a  native  of  the 
Southern  and  Western  States,  and  never 
found  naturally  in  the  North;  although 
they  are  occasionally  seen  here  when  sent 
as  a  present  by  some  southern  friend,  or 
brought  for  sale  by  sailors  from  the  sea- 
coast  towns. 


PARROTS.  263 

This  species  readily  becomes  tame  in 
confinement,  although  only  then  esteemed 
for  his  richness  of  plumage  and  acquired 
docility,  as  he  possesses  little  or  no  ta- 
lent in  imitating  the  human  voice.  He 
will  soon,  however,  learn  to  come  when 
called,  and  answer  to  his  name  when 
addressed  by  his  owner. 

Various  species  of  this  splendidly  plum- 
aged  race  of  birds,  are  found  at  all  times 
for  sale  in  the  different  bird-shops  through- 
out the  country,  and  at  prices  which  de- 
pend entirely  upon  the  education  of  the 
bird.  This  power,  given  by  proper  train- 
ing, is  at  all  times  truly  wonderful,  and  if 
not  so  well  known  would  seem  to  be 
almost  incredible.  Among  the  many  au- 
thenticated instances  of  acquirement  of 
knowledge  on  the  part  of  the  Parrot,  we 
give  some  of  the  most  remarkable;  though 
a  volume  might  readily  be  filled  upon  this 
subject  alone. 

The  first  instance  that  we  shall  notice, 
is  that  of  one  of  the  common  ash-grey  co- 


264  PARROTS. 

loured  kinds,  belonging  to  colonel  O'Kelly, 
of  Bristol,  and  for  which  he  gave  one 
hundred  guineas,  (nearly  five  hundred 
dollars.)  This  singularly  talented  bird, 
whistled  not  one,  but  a  number  of  distinct 
and  lengthy  tunes,  with  the  greatest  pre- 
cision and  power,  beating  time  with  his 
right  foot  throughout  his  whole  perform- 
ance with  all  the  exactitude  of  an  accom- 
plished musician.  His  ear  during  the  air 
was  remarkably  correct,  but  if  he  occa- 
sionally produced  a  false  note,  he  would 
immediately  recommence  the  same  bar, 
and  then  continue  on  to  the  end  of  the 
piece  in  a  regular  and  exquisite  manner, 
keeping  time  until  its  termination. 

Besides  this  extraordinary  musical  ta- 
lent, he  would  give  his  orders  for  the  dif- 
ferent articles  of  food  of  which  he  was 
most  fond,  in  a  manner  which  had  the 
strongest  appearance  of  perfect  reason. 
This  strangely  accomplished  bird  lived  to 
the  age  of  thirty  years,  and  when  he  died, 
a  long  obituary  notice  appeared  in  the 


PARROTS.  255 

General  Evening  Post  of  October  9,  1802, 
from  an  old  copy  of  which  we  extract 
the  principal  items.  Colonel  O'Kelly  was 
extravagantly  fond  of  his  bird,  and  is 
said  to  have  possessed  as  much  affec- 
tion for  his  favourite  as  a  parent  could 
have  for  a  child.  He  had  been  frequently 
offered  any  price  for  the  bird,  but  refused 
to  part  with  him,  and  also  declined*many 
offers  of  500  pounds  a  year  from  those 
who  were  desirous  of  making  a  public 
exhibition  of  his  astonishing  powers. 

Goldsmith  gives  another  instance  of  a 
talented  Parrot,  who  belonged  to  Henry 
VII.  of  England,  which  is  extremely 
amusing,  and  no  doubt  true.  The  bird 
was  a  resident  of  Westminster  palace,  and 
being  constantly  hung  from  a  casement 
looking  out  upon  the  river  Thames,  learnt 
from  the  passing  boatmen  a  strange  va- 
riety of  incongruous  phrases.  On  one 
occasion,  poor  Poll  tumbled  into  the  river, 
and  with  a  singular  approach  to  reason, 
shouted  out  at  the  top  of  her  voice  "A 
23 


266  PARROTS. 

boat !  a  boat !  twenty  pounds  for  a  boat !" 
A  greedy  waterman  hearing  this,  hastily 
took  up  the  bird  and  bearing  it  to  the 
king,  demanded  the  exorbitant  sum  the 
frightened  bird  had  promised  for  its  de- 
liverance; a  sum  which  was  then  much 
more  valuable  than  now.  The  astonished 
monarch  refused  compliance,  but  agreed 
to  leave  the  matter  to  the  bird,  who,  upon 
being  asked  what  the  ferryman  should 
have,  instantly  replied,  "Give  the  knave  a 
groat!" 

Locke,  in  his  excellent  and  unequalled 
"Essay  upon  Human  Understanding," 
gives  another  instance  of  an  educated  and 
almost  rational  Parrot,  whose  powers 
were  certainly  of  an  astonishing  character. 
This  bird's  reputation  had  become  so 
great,  that  the  then  Regent  of  Brazil, 
Prince  Maurice,  with  his  suite,  visited  the 
bird  in  his  apartment  to  witness  the 
powers  so  widely  circulated  with  praise 
by  the  neighbours  of  the  owner.  The 
Parrot  sat  for  a  short  time,  silently  sur- 


PARROTS.  257 

veying  the  group;  but  at  last  exclaimed 
in  Portuguese,  "What  a  company  of  white 
men  are  here!"  His  owner,  pointing  to 
the  Prince,  inquired  who  he  was?  "Oh!" 
said  the  bird,  "some  General  or  other!" 
The  Prince  then  casually  asked  him, 
"From  what  place  do  you  come?"  He 
answered  instantly,  "From  Marignan!" 
"And  to  whom  do  you  belong?"  "To  a 
Portuguese!"  was  the  reply.  "What  do 
you  do  there?"  again  asked  the  Regent, 
astonished,  to  which  the  bird  responded 
with  great  naivete,  "I  look  after  chickens !" 
"  You  look  after  chickens,"  said  the  Prince, 
jeeringly.  "Yes !  I,  I !"  reiterated  the 
Parrot,  "and  I  know  well  enough  how  to 
do  it!"  and  then  immediately  imitated  the 
clucking  call  of  a  brood-hen  to  her  chicks. 
Another  instance  of  a  talented  bird, 
who  is  now  in  Philadelphia,  in  a  central 
portion  of  the  city,  who  calls  for  his  meals 
regularly,  scolding  harshly,  if  not  instantly 
served,  and  laughingly  calling,  in  imitation 
of  the  mother's  voice,  the  names  of  the 


268  PARROTS. 

different  members  of  the  family,  who  are 
daily  deceived  by  its  consummate  talent 
of  mimicry.  This  bird  also  has  a  very 
pleasant  but  noisy  song,  yet  is  unacquaint- 
ed with  anything  like  musical  abilities. 

The  food  of  this  variety  of  birds  is  of  a 
mixed  description.  They  may  be  given 
almost  anything,  except  seasoned  animal 
food,  of  which  the  family  partake.  How- 
ever, bread  and  milk,  potatoes  boiled, 
cakes,  raw  or  cooked  meat  without  sea- 
soning, scalded  Indian-meal,  and  fruit  of 
every  kind  may  be  allowed  them,  with 
plenty  of  water,  which  they  drink  immo- 
derately. Hemp-seed  may  also  be  given 
to  them  occasionally. 

Their  diseases  are  of  the  same  nature 
as  the  Canary  and  other  birds,  and  the 
same  modes  of  cure,  but  stronger  in  pro- 
portion, will  suffice  to  restore  them  to 
health. 


269 


CHAPTER  II. 

DOVES. — Columbce. 

The  most  common,  and  the  most  prized 
variety  of  the  Pigeon  race,  is  the  Ring,  or 
as  it  is  most  frequently  styled,  the  Turtle- 
dove. Of  all  the  feathered  tribe,  none  are 
regarded  like  them  with  such  holy  reve- 
rence, from  the  circumstance  of  one  of  the 
species  having  been  the  messenger  who 
returned  to  the  Ark,  bearing  in  his  bill 
the  token  of  a  subsidence  of  the  waters; 
and  of  his  being  symbolical  of  the  pre- 
sence of  the  MOST  HIGH.  This  feeling  is 
carried  to  such  an  extent  among  the  far- 
mers of  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania,  that 
the  slaughter  of  the  common  American 
wild  species,  the  Carolina  Pigeon,  (Co- 
lumba  Carolinensis^)  whose  flesh,  by  the 
by,  is  scarcely  inferior  to  that  of  the  Par- 
tridge, is  esteemed  a  sacrilegious  thing, 
23* 


270  DOVES. 

and  forbidden  by  the  patriarchs  of  the 
family,  strongly,  as  a  most  awful  crime. 
But,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  our  large 
cities,  where  civilization  reigns  supreme, 
the  poor  Tourterelle  is  shot  down  without 
compunction. 

To  the  poet,  the  Dove  has  long  been  an 
object  of  devotion,  calling  into  operation 
those  fine  springs  of  feeling  which  gush  to 
overflowing,  in  his  warmer  and  more 
benevolent  heart.  Perhaps  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  finished  articles  which 
ever  fell  from  a  poet's  inspired  pen,  is 
that  by  our  fellow  countryman,  Charles 
Sprague  of  Massachusetts,  which  we  give 
for  the  gratification  of  our  fair  readers, 
deeming  it  a  gem  not  more  than  equalled 
by  the  master  minds  of  older  ages. 

THE  WINGED  WORSHIPPERS. 

Gay,  guiltless  pair, 
What  seek  ye  from  the  fields  of  heaven? 

Ye  have  no  need  of  prayer, 
Ye  have  no  sins  to  be  forgiven. 


DOVES.  271 

Why  perch  ye  here? 
Where  mortals  to  their  Maker  bend ! 

Can  your  pure  spirits  fear 
The  God  ye  never  could  offend? 

Ye  never  knew 
The  crimes  for  which  we  come  to  weep: 

Penance  is  not  for  you, 
Blessed  wanderers  of  the  upper  deep. 

9- 

To  you  'tis  given 
To  wake  sweet  Nature's  untaught  lays; 

Beneath  the  arch  of  heaven 
To  chirp  away  a  life  of  praise. 

Then  spread  each  wing, 
Far,  far  above,  o'er  lakes  and  lands, 

And  join  the  choirs  that  sing 
In  yon  blue  dome  not  reared  with  hands. 

Or,  if  ye  stay 
To  note  the  consecrated  hour, 

Teach  me  the  airy  way, 
And  let  me  try  your  envied  power. 

Above  the  crowd, 
On  upward  wings  could  I  but  fly, 

I'd  bathe  in  yon  bright  cloud, 
And  seek  the  stars  that  gem  the  sky. 


272  DOVES. 

'Twere  heaven  indeed, 
Through  fields  of  trackless  light  to  soar, 

On  Nature's  charm  to  feed, 
And  Nature's  own  great  God  adore. 

Their  food,  in  a  wild  state,  consists 
wholly  of  grain  and  seeds,  which  under- 
goes, as  with  all  the  Pigeon  tribe,  a  kind 
of  softening  in  their  crops  before  it  enters 
into  the  vessels  of  the  stomach,  and  these 
in  the  cage  must  form  their  sustenance. 
Broken  corn,  buckwheat,  oats,  wheat,  rye, 
and  canary  and  hemp-seeds  may  be  given 
to  them,  observing  at  the  same  time  to 
allow  them  plenty  of  coarse  gravel,  which 
they  cannot  live  without,  and  a  suffi- 
ciency of  water,  in  a  flat  pan,  daily  in 
winter,  and  during  the  warm  months 
twice  or  thrice  a  day. 

They  breed  with  the  greatest  ease  in 
confinement,  and  the  hen  becomes  so  tame 
when  sitting,  that  you  may  place  your 
hand  upon  her,  and  plume  her  feathers 
without  her  evincing  the  slightest  fear; 
this  sociality,  however,  is  common  to  all 


PARTRIDGE.  373 

the  Pigeon  tribe.  They  breed  throughout 
the  greater  portion  of  the  year,  and  though 
laying  only  two  eggs,  which  are  snow- 
white,  at  a  time,  increase  with  extreme 
rapidity.  They  should  have  a  small  box 
placed  near  the  top  of  the  cage,  and  be 
supplied  with  small  twigs  and  hay,  and  a 
little  wool,  with  which  to  form  their  pests. 
Their  song,  if  it  may  be  so  called,  is  a 
long  and  rather  monotonous  "coo,"  con- 
tinued for  a  length  of  time,  and  of  an 
extremely  mournful  character,  yet  when 
given  the  bird  is  always  exulting  in  happi- 
ness, beside  the  cherished  partner  of  his 
bosom. 


CHAPTER  III. 

PARTRIDGE. — Ortyx  Virginiana. 

Of  this  favourite  and  sociable  bird  but 
little  need  be  said,  as  all  ages  and  condi- 


274  PARTRIDGE. 

tions  are  fully  acquainted  with  his  charac- 
ter and  habits. 

He  is  sometimes  found  in  the  cage, 
although  his  song  consists  only  of  the 
single  call  of  "Bob- White,"  which  is  only 
given  during  the  latter  part  of  spring  and 
the  commencement  of  summer;  but  he  is 
principally  kept  by  benevolent  sportsmen, 
for  the  purpose  of  being  turned  loose  in 
the  spring,  in  order  to  prevent  the  extreme 
possibility  of  the  species,  already  too  thin, 
becoming  entirely  exterminated  in  the  vi- 
cinities of  our  large  cities. 

When  kept  in  confinement,  in  numbers, 
they  should  be  placed  in  a  well-aired 
room,  the  floor  of  which  should  be  strew- 
ed with  coarse  gravel,  of  which  they  are 
very  fond,  and  large  branches  of  the  Vir- 
ginia juniper  layed  along  its  sides,  or 
placed  in  clumps,  that  they  may  shelter 
themselves  on  the  approach  of  the  feeder. 
If  the  last  direction  be  not  attended  to, 
they  will  be  apt  to  injure  themselves  in 
flying  about,  which  they  do  very  rapidly. 


PARTRIDGE.  375 

When  first  taken  they  are  very  wild,  but 
in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  become 
accustomed  to  the  presence  of  the  person 
having  them  in  charge. 

They  should  be  plentifully  supplied  with 
water,  in  large  flat  pans,  as  they  are  fond 
of  drinking  and  bathing  frequently;  and 
they  should  be  fed  on  buckwheat,  wheat, 
rye,  broken  corn,  and  occasionally  a  little 
hemp-seed. 

The  proper  season  of  setting  them  free 
for  breeding,  is  in  the  last  of  March,  or 
early  in  April,  if  the  season  be  open;  and 
this  must  be  done  by  placing  a  single  pair 
in  a  cage  at  a  time,  and  setting  it  with 
the  door  open  on  the  edge  of  a  thicket,  or 
wood,  near  wide  spread  fields,  the  person 
having  them  concealing  himself  from 
view.  They  will  then  run  out  together 
and  hide  themselves,  without  being  sepa- 
rated. 


CONCLUSION. 

And  now,  gentle  and  courteous  reader, 
we  come  to  bid  you  a  fare  well.  >  May 
your  progress  through  life  be  as  pleasant, 
as  our  journey  together  through  this  lit- 
tle book  has  been  to  us.  Go  forth,  and 
may  a  thousand  pleasures  await  you  in 
the  forest,  in  the  meadow,  on  the  green 
hill  side,  or  by  the  rill  which  dances  and 
sings  with  delight  as  it  passes  through  the 
flowery  valley.  And  oh !  look  well  to  the 
feathered  songsters,  those  missionaries  of 
good  feeling  from  the  divinity  of  sur- 
rounding Nature,  and  a  perception  of  all 
that  is  lovely  and  beautiful  will  spring  up 
in  your  bosom. 

Men  may  deceive  you,  Nature  never 
will.     As  says  the  gifted  poet,  so  truly 
and  so  well: — 
24 


278 

"Oft  have  we  learned  by  bitter  deeds  to  deem 
Not  always  men  are  candid  when  they  seem. 
Cowards  oft  courage,  as  a  mantle,  don; 
Liars  talk  loud  their  matchless  truth  upon; 
Those  born  ignobly  own  of  birth  no  taint; 
And  sinners  hide  them  in  the  name  of  saint. 
Not  so  with  Holy  Nature;  who  is  still, 
As  she  hath  ever  been  and  ever  will, 
Governed  by  laws,  by  fixed  unchanging  rules, 
That  mock  the  wise  man's  fathoming,  and  fooPs; 
She  still  the  same  external  visage  wears, 
Or  filled  with  sunny  smiles,  or  dewy  tears. 
Her  every  beauty  to  thy  touch  is  free, — 
Mistress  as  well  as  mother  she  to  thee." 

THOMAS  DUNN  ENGLISH. 

And  with  these  reflections  we  close  the 
subject,  bidding  our  readers  a  kind  fare- 
well. 


THE  END. 


ADVERTISEMENTS. 


<&©„ 

The  subscriber  respectfully  informs  his  friends  and  the 
public,  that  he  keeps  constantly  on  hand  a  full  asortment  of 
the  finest,  freshest  and  purest  bird-seeds,  wholesale  and  retail, 
to  be  found  in  the  country,  (all  of  which,  before  sale,  are 
screened  and  re-cleaned  in  the  establishment,  to  prevent  the 
diseases  which  attack  Canaries.  &c.  if  fed  with  dirty  seed,  as 
is  always  the  case  with  seeds  purchased  at  the  various 
grocery  and  confectionary  stores  and  stands  about  town,)  a 
catalogue  of  which,  with  the  other  articles  appertaining  to  the 
treatment  and  care  of  birds,  follows: 


CANARY, 

MILLET, 

YELLOW, 

HEMP, 

BUCKWHEAT. 

CORN, 

WHEAT, 

OATS,  &c. 


RE-CLEANED  SEEDS. 

per  qt.    RAPE  or  COLE,  per  qt. 

„        ROUGH  or  UNHULLED,          „ 
RICE  or  PADDY,  for  JAVA 
SPARROWS,  RED-BIRDS, 
&c. 

SPLIT  PEAS,  „ 

RYE,  „ 


280 

MEDICINAL  SEEDS.— Maw,  Lettuce  and  Melon,  by  the  oz. 

BERRIES. — Alder-berries  for  the  Mocking  and  other  Insecti- 
vorous Birds  in  the  summer,  Cedar  and  dried  Pokeberries  for 
their  use  in  the  winter  season. 

Osepia  or  Cuttle-fish  Bone,  an  article  which  should  be  kept 
constantly  in  the  cage  of  the  Canary.  Ivory  Eggs,  Breeding- 
boxes,  Baskets,  and  Cow's  and  Deer's  hair  for  making  nests. 
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BERNARD  DUKE. 


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Flower-seeds. 

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282 

the  newest  and  finest  varieties  of  Green  and  Hot  House  Plants 
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BERNARD  DUKE. 


THE 


Adapted  to  the  Climates  and  Seasons  of  the  United  States.- 

Containing  a  complete  account  of  all  the  work  necessary  to 
be  done  in  the  Kitchen-garden,  Fruit-garden,  Orchard,  Vine- 
yard, Nursery.  Pleasure-ground,  Flower-garden,  Grtfen-house, 
Hot-house,  and  Forcing  Frames,  for  every  month  in  the  year; 
with  ample  practical  directions  for  performing  the  same. 
Also,  general  as  well  as  minute  instructions  for  laying  out  or 
erecting  each  and  every  of  the  above  departments  according  to 
modern  taste  and  the  most  approved  plans;  the  Ornamental 
Planting  of  Pleasure-grounds,  in  the  ancient  and  modern 
style;  the  cultivation  of  Thorn  Quicks  and  other  plants  suita- 
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&c.;  to  which  are  annexed,  Catalogues  of  Kitchen-garden 
Plants  and  Herbs;  Aromatic  Pot  and  Sweet  Herbs;  Medicinal 
Plants;  and  the  most  important  Grasses,  &c.  used  in  rural 
economy,  with  the  soil  best  adapted  to  their  cultivation;  to- 
gether with  a  copious  index  to  the  body  of  the  work.  By 
BERNARD  M'MAHON.  Ninth  edition,  greatly  improved. 

The  above  excellent  work,  written  by  the  Patriarch  of 
Gardening  in  America,  and  the  founder  of  our  establishment, 
has  passed  through  nine  editions  with  increased  popularity. 
In  every  department  of  which  it  treats,  it  is  a  treasure,  and  no 
one  who  takes  any  interest  in  the  subject  of  Horticulture 
should  be  without  it. 

BERNARD  DUKE. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

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on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


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